Boy name
Kerim name meaning
“generous; noble and honorable”
Kerim means generous, noble, and honorable and is a masculine given name in Türkiye. It comes from Arabic karīm, a word expressing generosity and worth. The related Turkish name Kerem shares its root, providing a concrete linguistic association with the same vocabulary of generosity and dignity.
- Gender
- ♂ Boy
- Origin
- Arabic
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity
- In TÜİK lists
What does Kerim mean?
Generous; noble and honorable
In Turkish: eli açık; soylu ve değerli
Kerim combines generosity with the ideas of honor and worth. Al-Karīm is a divine name, while the adjective also occurs in the Quran in descriptions beyond divine reference. Kerime and Abdülkerim are related names built from the same root in different ways.
How popular is Kerim?
Official figures: TÜİK newborn name lists (2018–2025, the top 30 for Türkiye and each of the 81 provinces every year) and the most common names in the population.
- Province lists
- 27provinces
Where is Kerim in the top 30?
27 provinces · the latest year each province listed it
Double names with Kerim
Double names counted as one name in TÜİK newborn lists (all years and provinces combined).
Source: TurkStat (TÜİK), Address-Based Population Registration System. The lists cover the top 30 names per year, sex and province; no official counts are published for less common names. All statistics →
Origin of the name Kerim
Kerim comes from Arabic karīm, meaning generous, honorable, or noble. It shares its root with Turkish kerem, meaning generosity.
| Linguistic origin | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Naming tradition | Islamic |
| In Islamic history | Names found in the Quran, Names of God (Asma al-Husna) |
| Is Kerim in the Quran? | As a word · كريم · 27:29, 56:77Karīm, the Arabic source of Kerim, occurs in the Quran as an adjective expressing honor, worth, or generosity. |
| Starts with | K · Ke |
Names are shared across communities. Where a name is common says nothing certain about any one person’s background, faith or origin.
Double names with Kerim
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
-
Kerim Eyyüp
Meaning of each name
- Kerim: generous; noble and honorable
- Eyyüp: the name of the prophet Job
-
Salahaddin Kerim
Meaning of each name
- Salahaddin: goodness of the faith; righteousness of religion
- Kerim: generous; noble and honorable
-
Kerim Abdi
Meaning of each name
- Kerim: generous; noble and honorable
- Abdi: associated with servanthood or devotion
-
Halil Kerim
Meaning of each name
- Halil: close friend; intimate companion
- Kerim: generous; noble and honorable
-
Kerim Burhaneddin
Meaning of each name
- Kerim: generous; noble and honorable
- Burhaneddin: decisive proof of the faith
-
Abdul Kerim
Meaning of each name
- Abdul: servant; a shortened form of Abdül- compounds
- Kerim: generous; noble and honorable
Double names found in TÜİK’s newborn lists: Kerim Asaf.
How to pronounce Kerim
| Syllables | 2 · 5 letters · 5-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /keɾim/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | كریم |
| Arabic | كريم |
Is Kerim a boy’s name?
Yes, Kerim is used mostly as a boy’s name. See all boy names.
Kerim appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists. See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
Spellings and similar names
Spellings covered by this page: Kerîm
Names that sound like Kerim
- Kerem♂Generosity, magnanimity, kindness
- Karim♂Generous, openhanded, noble-hearted
- Kelim♂One who speaks
- Kadim♂Ancient, of great antiquity
- Kevin♂Beautifully born
- Karam♂Generosity, openhandedness
- Keni♂
- Kiril♂Belonging to a lord
- Kris♂Follower of Christ, Christian
- Kaim♂Standing
- Kebir♂Great, exalted, mighty
- Keşif♂Finding the unknown
Names with related meanings
- Kerem♂Generosity, magnanimity, kindness
- Enes♂Companionship, friendliness, familiarity
- Kayra♂Favor and grace
- Salih♂Good, virtuous, righteous
- Ensar♂Helpers, supporters
- Semih♂Generous, open-handed and tolerant
- Ekrem♂Most generous
- İhsan♂Doing good
- Haluk♂Good-natured
- Necdet♂Bravery, valour
- Hilmi♂Relating to forbearance and gentleness
- Lütfi♂Associated with kindness and graciousness
Famous people named Kerim
- Kerim Frei · b. 1993
- Kerim Çalhanoğlu · b. 2002
- Kerim Zengin · b. 1985
- Kerim Avcı · b. 1989
- Kerim Tekin · b. 1975
- Kerim Afşar · b. 1930
- Kerim Alıcı · b. 1997
- Kerim Erim · b. 1894
- Kerim Sebati · b. 1870
- Kerim Öder · b. 1901
- Kerim Uras · b. 1963
- Kerim Engizek · b. 1991
FAQ about the name Kerim
What is the meaning of Kerim?
Kerim means “generous; noble and honorable”. Kerim comes from Arabic karīm, meaning generous, honorable, or noble. It shares its root with Turkish kerem, meaning generosity.
Is Kerim a boy’s name?
Yes, Kerim is used mostly as a boy’s name.
Is Kerim in the Quran?
As a word. Karīm, the Arabic source of Kerim, occurs in the Quran as an adjective expressing honor, worth, or generosity. (e.g.: 27:29, 56:77)
What is the origin of the name Kerim?
Kerim is of Arabic origin.
How many syllables does Kerim have?
Kerim has 2 syllables and 5 letters.
How popular is the name Kerim?
Kerim appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists. See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
What are other spellings of Kerim?
Other spellings: Kerîm.
What names go well with Kerim?
Some ideas: Kerim Eyyüp; Salahaddin Kerim; Kerim Abdi.
Famous people named Kerim?
Notable people named Kerim include Kerim Frei, Kerim Çalhanoğlu, Kerim Zengin.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm00589 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake