Kareem Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Kareem is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Kareem?
Kareem is spelled K-A-R-E-E-M. The name has 6 letters.
Kareem at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Kareem means “generous” or “noble” in Arabic.
- Origin
- Kareem is commonly understood to derive from Arabic, where it holds meanings related to generosity and nobility.
- Pronunciation
- kah-REEM · 2 syllables
Kareem Popularity in 2025
Rank#701
Recorded Births383
- Boys usage fell 26 places to #701 and recorded 22 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Kareem Mean?
Kareem means “generous” or “noble” in Arabic.
Origin: Kareem is commonly understood to derive from Arabic, where it holds meanings related to generosity and nobility.
How Do You Pronounce Kareem?
Pronunciationkah-REEM
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Kareem?
- History
- The name Kareem has been used in Arabic-speaking areas and communities with Islamic cultural influence, reflecting valued traits in those societies.
Kareem Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2003 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 383 | #701 |
| 2024 | Boys | 405 | #675 |
| 2023 | Boys | 442 | #628 |
| 2022 | Boys | 407 | #670 |
| 2021 | Boys | 382 | #696 |
| 2020 | Boys | 419 | #638 |
| 2019 | Boys | 386 | #672 |
| 2018 | Boys | 347 | #696 |
| 2017 | Boys | 352 | #700 |
| 2016 | Boys | 345 | #708 |
| 2015 | Boys | 334 | #731 |
| 2014 | Boys | 315 | #751 |
| 2013 | Girls | 5 | #16,547 |
| 2013 | Boys | 352 | #682 |
| 2012 | Boys | 311 | #743 |
| 2011 | Boys | 306 | #740 |
| 2010 | Boys | 334 | #698 |
| 2009 | Boys | 314 | #740 |
| 2008 | Boys | 309 | #739 |
| 2007 | Boys | 314 | #730 |
| 2006 | Boys | 303 | #714 |
| 2005 | Boys | 294 | #700 |
| 2004 | Boys | 346 | #618 |
| 2003 | Boys | 299 | #662 |
When Was Kareem Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1980 · Boys
459 recorded births
National rank #373
1977 · Boys
449 recorded births
National rank #367
2023 · Boys
442 recorded births
National rank #628
2020 · Boys
419 recorded births
National rank #638
Where Kareem Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MI | #330 | 27 |
| IL | #375 | 28 |
| NJ | #396 | 20 |
| MD | #516 | 9 |
| GA | #566 | 18 |
| OH | #577 | 17 |
| FL | #585 | 29 |
| LA | #591 | 7 |