Karriem
An Arabic surname potentially meaning "generous" or derived from the Arabic word "kareem".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 343 Americans carry the last name Karriem. That puts it at #69,392 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.10 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 999,284 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Karriem surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
343
1 in 999,284
Census rank
#69,392
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
283
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 283 bearers of the surname Karriem in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 69392nd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Karriem, the largest self-reported group is Black at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (5.7%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Karriem
The surname KARRIEM has its origins in the Arabic language and is believed to have been derived from the word "Kareem," meaning "generous" or "noble." This name is commonly found among Muslim communities, particularly in regions where Arabic influence has been prominent.
The earliest records of the KARRIEM surname can be traced back to the Middle East, specifically in areas such as modern-day Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt. These regions were home to thriving Arab civilizations and played a significant role in the spread of the Arabic language and culture throughout the centuries.
Historical references to the KARRIEM surname can be found in various ancient manuscripts and records, including Islamic texts and chronicles. One notable example is the mention of individuals with this surname in the writings of renowned Arab scholars and historians from the 8th to 10th centuries CE.
In the historical context, the KARRIEM surname was often associated with individuals who held esteemed positions within their communities or those who were known for their generosity and noble character. It was a name bestowed upon those who embodied the virtues represented by its meaning.
Among the earliest recorded individuals bearing the KARRIEM surname were:
1. Al-Karriem ibn al-Hasan (born c. 790 CE), a prominent Islamic scholar and jurist from Baghdad.
2. Fatima al-Karriem (born c. 820 CE), a renowned poet and literary figure from Cordoba, Al-Andalus (modern-day Spain).
3. Ahmad al-Karriem (born c. 960 CE), a renowned mathematician and astronomer from Cairo, Egypt.
As the Arabic language and culture spread through trade, migration, and conquests, the KARRIEM surname also found its way into various regions, including the Iberian Peninsula, parts of North Africa, and even as far as the Indian subcontinent.
Notable individuals with the KARRIEM surname throughout history include:
1. Khalil al-Karriem (1317-1391), a renowned Sufi mystic and poet from Damascus, Syria.
2. Hasan al-Karriem (1572-1633), a celebrated calligrapher and artist from Isfahan, Persia (modern-day Iran).
3. Zainab al-Karriem (1645-1707), a prominent philanthropist and patron of the arts in Marrakesh, Morocco.
4. Ahmed al-Karriem (1810-1876), a influential political and religious leader in Ottoman Egypt.
5. Fatima al-Karriem (1920-2002), a pioneering female author and activist from Bahrain.
The KARRIEM surname has persisted through the ages, carrying with it the rich cultural heritage and historical significance associated with its Arabic roots and the virtues it represents.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Karriem
Among Census respondents with the surname Karriem, the largest self-reported group is Black at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (5.7%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Karriem bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Karriem surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American87.3%
- Two or more races5.7%
- Unknown or suppressed2.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander2.5%
- Hispanic or Latino2.1%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Karriem surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #82,691 | #69,392 | 16.1% |
| Count | 212 | 283 | 33.5% |
| Per 100K | 0.08 | 0.10 | 25.0% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Karriem bearers went from 212 to 283 (+33.5% change). The surname moved up 13,299 positions in the national ranking, going from #82,691 to #69,392.
FAQ
Karriem surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Karriem?
The surname Karriem holds position #69,392 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 343 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.10 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Karriem surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Karriem, the largest self-reported group is Black at 87.3%. The next largest groups are Two or More Races (5.7%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (2.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.