Karima first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Karima has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Karima

A feminine Arabic name meaning "generous" or "noble".

Popularity of Karima by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Karima is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 13 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Karima.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 13
2022 0 12
2021 0 14
2020 0 18
2019 0 14
2018 0 13
2017 0 16
2016 0 15
2015 0 11
2014 0 19
2013 0 16
2012 0 18
2011 0 13
2010 0 22
2009 0 16
2008 0 14
2007 0 17
2006 0 20
2005 0 22
2004 0 25
2003 0 34
2002 0 25
2001 0 23
2000 0 21
1999 0 27
1998 0 24
1997 0 21
1996 0 25
1995 0 38
1994 0 38
1993 0 30
1992 0 34
1991 0 42
1990 0 45
1989 0 37
1988 0 21
1987 0 29
1986 0 19
1985 0 18
1984 0 36
1983 0 28
1982 0 33
1981 0 31
1980 0 41
1979 0 63
1978 0 46
1977 0 47
1976 0 60
1975 0 41
1974 0 42

The history of the first name Karima

The name Karima has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the word "karim," which means "generous" or "noble." It is a feminine name that has been in use since ancient times in the Middle Eastern and North African regions.

Karima has been a popular name among Muslims, as it reflects the Islamic values of generosity and nobility. The name has also been associated with the Arabic word "karam," which means "honor" or "dignity."

In Islamic literature, the name Karima is mentioned in several ancient texts and religious scriptures. One notable reference is in the Quran, where the word "karim" is used to describe the Prophet Muhammad and other revered figures.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Karima can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the time of the Islamic Golden Age. Several historical figures bore this name, including Karima al-Marwaziyya, a renowned female scholar and poet who lived in the 9th century CE.

Other notable women throughout history who were named Karima include:

  1. Karima al-Hadrami (1088-1174 CE), a Yemeni poet and mystic.
  2. Karima Merrill (1869-1941), an American philanthropist and art collector.
  3. Karima Bennoune (born 1966), an Algerian-American scholar and human rights activist.
  4. Karima El-Mahroug (born 1992), an Italian-Moroccan woman involved in a high-profile legal case in Italy.
  5. Karima Christmas (born 1994), an American professional basketball player.

While the name Karima has its roots in the Arab world, it has gained popularity across various cultures and ethnicities over time, reflecting its positive connotations of generosity and nobility.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Karima was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Karima, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Karima first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 5, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/karima-meaning-and-history/.

"Karima first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/karima-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 5 May, 2025

Karima first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/karima-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.