Karim

Karim is a masculine given name and, in some contexts, a surname of Arabic origin. It derives from the Arabic word karīm, meaning generous, noble, or virtuous. In Islamic tradition, Al-Karīm is also one of the 99 names of Allah, reflecting a notion of divine generosity.

The name is widely used across the Arab world and in Muslim-majority regions, as well as in Africa, South Asia, and among diaspora communities. Spelling variants in Latin script include Karim, Kareem, and Kareem (with diacritics such as Karīm). The form is typically male, though in some cultures related names may appear with different feminine endings. As a surname, Karim occurs in various cultures and can derive from patronymic or familial usage.

In contemporary usage, numerous public figures bear the name in its various spellings. Notable individuals include Karim Benzema, a French footballer; Karim Adeyemi, a German footballer; and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the American former basketball player (a variant spelling of the name). Egyptian-born designer Karim Rashid is also well known in the field of industrial design.

Overall, Karim remains a common given name in many countries and cultures, often associated with attributes of generosity and nobility in its etymology. It is also encountered as a surname in some communities, reflecting broader naming practices in the regions where the name originated.