karam

Karam is a masculine given name of Arabic origin and, in some cases, a surname. The root karam (كرم) denotes generosity and nobility of character, reflecting virtues such as magnanimity and kindness. In Arabic and Islamic cultures, the name is chosen to convey hoped-for positive qualities in the bearer and to honor these cultural values.

The name is used across Arabic-speaking countries and communities in North Africa, the Levant, the Gulf, and the wider Muslim world, as well as among diaspora populations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Spelling and transliteration from Arabic can vary, with Karam being the most common form; variants may arise depending on linguistic and regional conventions.

In cultural contexts, Karam appears in poetry and modern writing as a symbol of generosity and noble conduct. It is also encountered in the names of organizations and charitable initiatives that emphasize altruism and public service. The term is distinct from karama (كرامة), which can refer to dignity or miracles attributed to saints in religious contexts, though the two are related through their shared association with virtue and honor.

See also: Karam (disambiguation).