NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Karem

Karem is an Arabic given name meaning "generous" or "noble".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Karem is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Karem popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4632, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 4 births.

This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2008 to 2014. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 7 living people in the UK are called Karem. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2015 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Karem ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2008, when 4 boys were registered as Karem.
  • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Karem as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4632

2014

Births in 2014

3

Latest year

Peak year

2008

4 births

Estimated living

7

2026

Meaning

What does Karem mean?

The name Karem has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "kareem," which means "generous" or "noble." This name gained popularity in the Middle East during the early Islamic era, around the 7th century AD.

In Arabic tradition, the name Karem was often given to boys in the hope that they would grow up to embody the virtues of generosity and nobility. It was a name that carried a significant cultural and religious meaning, reflecting the values of hospitality and kindness that were highly prized in the Arab world.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Karem can be found in the works of renowned Arab poets and scholars from the 8th and 9th centuries. These literary works often celebrated the virtues associated with the name, praising individuals who embodied these qualities.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Karem. One of the most famous was Karem ibn Abi Layla (714-796 AD), a prominent Islamic scholar and jurist from Kufa, Iraq. He was widely respected for his knowledge of Islamic law and his contributions to the development of Islamic jurisprudence.

Another well-known figure with the name Karem was Karem Khan Zand (1705-1779), the founder of the Zand dynasty in Persia (present-day Iran). He was a skilled military leader and administrator who managed to unite much of Persia under his rule during a period of political instability.

In the realm of literature, Karem al-Shami (1866-1938) was a renowned Syrian novelist and playwright. He was a pioneer of the modern Arabic novel and played a significant role in the literary renaissance of the Arab world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Karem Khalil (1908-1976) was an Egyptian actor and comedian who achieved great popularity in the Arab world for his comedic performances in films and stage plays. He is considered a legend in the history of Egyptian cinema and is still celebrated for his contributions to the art of comedy.

Lastly, Karem Mahmoud (1945-2018) was a prominent Egyptian actor and director. He had a successful career spanning over five decades and was known for his versatility in portraying a wide range of characters in both dramatic and comedic roles.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Karem throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and artistic traditions in the Arab world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Karem over time

The chart below shows babies named Karem registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Karem, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Karem
01234200820112014

Decades

Karem by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Karem was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2010s #4632 3 1
2000s #3687 4 1

Related

Names similar to Karem

FAQ

Karem: questions and answers

How popular is the name Karem in the UK right now?

In 2014, Karem was ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Karem most popular?

The peak year on record was 2008, with 4 babies registered as Karem in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Karem?

Karem is an Arabic given name meaning "generous" or "noble".

How many people are called Karem in the UK?

A total of 7 babies have been registered as Karem across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.