Kareem

Kareem is a male given name of Arabic origin. It is the anglicized form of the Arabic كريم (karīm), meaning generous, noble, or honorable. In Islamic tradition, al-Karīm is one of the 99 names of God, a link that contributes to the name’s widespread use among Muslims.

The spelling Kareem is common in English-speaking contexts, but the name has several transliterations, including Karim. Variants and transliterations often reflect regional pronunciation and language differences, but they share the same root meaning.

Kareem is used across a broad geographic area, including the Arab world, North and East Africa, South Asia, and among Muslim communities in Europe and the Americas. Beyond religious communities, it has been adopted in multicultural societies as a given name without religious connotations, reflecting broader cultural exchange.

Notable individuals with the name include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., 1947), an American former professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest in NBA history. He is also an author and public commentator, contributing to discussions on sports, culture, and social issues. The name Kareem appears in various professional fields and across different cultures, underscoring its cross-cultural appeal and enduring popularity.