Kassim

Kassim is a masculine given name and, less commonly, a surname. It is a transliteration of the Arabic Qaṣīm (قاسم), meaning "one who distributes" or "dispenser," from the root q-s-m, meaning to divide or apportion. In Islamic tradition, Qaṣīm is a well-established name; Al-Qāsim was the Prophet Muhammad's first son, who died in infancy, and the form has been used in many compound names such as Abdul-Qāsim.

The spelling Kassim is common in Malay-speaking regions and among diaspora communities; Qasim is widely used in Arabic-speaking areas; other transliterations include Qassim and Qaseem. The name has been borne by countless individuals across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, reflecting its broad geographic reach.

As a surname, Kassim and its variants appear in diverse communities where Arabic-derived names are used.

In historical and religious contexts, the name appears in Islamic literature and genealogy, and in contemporary use it remains a popular given name in many Muslim-majority countries.

See also Qasim, Kasim, Qassim.