Karimov

Karimov is a patronymic surname common across Central Asia, the Caucasus and parts of Russia. It is formed from the Arabic given name Karim, meaning "generous" or "noble," combined with the Slavic suffix -ov, which indicates "son of." The feminine form is Karimova. Variants and transliterations include Kerimov, Kərimov and Karimoff, reflecting different languages and alphabets.

The name is widespread in countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan, and among diaspora communities. Its frequency reflects historical Islamic and Turkic naming traditions alongside Russian linguistic influence from the Soviet era, when Slavic-style family names became common.

People with the surname Karimov have been active in many fields, including politics, sports, academia and the arts. The most internationally known bearer was Islam Karimov (1938–2016), who served as the first President of independent Uzbekistan. Other individuals named Karimov or Karimova appear in national and regional public life, business and culture across Central Asia and the Caucasus.

As with many surnames derived from a personal name, Karimov functions primarily as an identifier of family lineage rather than indicating a single ethnic or geographic origin. Its variations and usage reflect the linguistic and cultural diversity of the regions where it occurs.