NameCensus.

UK surname

Karimi

A surname of Iranian origin meaning someone from the city of Karim.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Eastleigh, Southampton and Barnet.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Karimi is 561 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

561

2016, ranked #9,145

Peak year

2016

561 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 561 in 2016, ranked #9,145.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Karimi surname distribution map

The map shows where the Karimi surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Karimi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Karimi over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1997 modern 70 #30,618
1998 modern 79 #30,080
1999 modern 80 #30,152
2000 modern 84 #29,706
2001 modern 92 #28,528
2002 modern 134 #23,492
2003 modern 160 #20,789
2004 modern 199 #18,260
2005 modern 242 #15,987
2006 modern 255 #15,521
2007 modern 288 #14,428
2008 modern 318 #13,604
2009 modern 350 #12,972
2010 modern 422 #11,493
2011 modern 415 #11,514
2012 modern 476 #10,213
2013 modern 525 #9,675
2014 modern 535 #9,594
2015 modern 538 #9,489
2016 modern 561 #9,145

Geography

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Where Karimis are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Eastleigh, Southampton, Barnet and Brent. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Eastleigh 003 Eastleigh
2 Southampton 005 Southampton
3 Southampton 022 Southampton
4 Barnet 027 Barnet
5 Brent 005 Brent

Forenames

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First names often paired with Karimi

These lists show first names that appear often with the Karimi surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Karimi

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Karimi, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Karimi surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Karimi household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Karimi is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Karimi is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Karimi falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Karimi is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Karimi, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Karimi

The surname Karimi is believed to have originated in Iran. It is derived from the Persian word "Karim," which means "generous" or "noble." The name has its roots in the Arabic language and can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the Islamic Golden Age.

The Karimi surname is particularly prevalent in the regions of Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia. It is often associated with individuals of Persian or Iranian descent. However, due to migration and cultural exchange, the name can also be found in various other parts of the world.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Karimi surname can be found in the works of renowned Persian poets and scholars from the 10th and 11th centuries CE. Notable figures include Abu al-Qasim al-Karimi (d. 1017 CE), a prominent poet and literary critic, and Abu Mansur al-Karimi (d. 1079 CE), a respected philosopher and theologian.

During the medieval period, the Karimi surname was associated with several influential families and individuals. One notable example is the Karimi dynasty, which ruled over parts of modern-day Iran and Afghanistan from the 13th to the 15th centuries CE. This dynasty produced several notable rulers, including Malik Shams al-Din Karimi (r. 1245-1277 CE) and Malik Ghiyath al-Din Karimi (r. 1277-1305 CE).

In more recent history, the Karimi surname has been carried by various scholars, artists, and public figures. Some notable individuals include:

1. Nasser D. Khalili (b. 1945), an Iranian-British scholar and art collector known for his extensive collection of Islamic art. 2. Amir Karimi (b. 1973), an Iranian film director and screenwriter, known for his critically acclaimed works such as "A Cube of Sugar" and "The Night Guard." 3. Abolfazl Karimi (b. 1976), an Iranian-American mathematician and computer scientist, known for his contributions to the field of computational geometry. 4. Shida Karimi (b. 1976), an Afghan-Canadian artist and activist, recognized for her efforts in promoting women's rights and empowerment through art. 5. Hamid Karimi (b. 1977), an Iranian-American engineer and professor, renowned for his research in the field of control systems and robotics.

Throughout its history, the Karimi surname has maintained its association with Persian and Iranian culture, reflecting the rich heritage and traditions of the region.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Karimi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Karimi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 561 in 2016. That gives Karimi a modern rank of #9,145.

What does the Karimi surname mean?

A surname of Iranian origin meaning someone from the city of Karim.

What does the Karimi map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Karimi bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.