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Kareem

Boy name · 17 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Kareem: 17 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 5 births in 2021.

Kareem is an Arabic name derived from the root k-r-m, meaning “generous” or “noble” – a quality highly valued in Islamic culture. The most renowned bearer is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the legendary American basketball player who dominated the NBA for two decades and still holds the all-time scoring record. While the name does not have a direct place connection in Scotland, it has been steadily chosen by families across the country since the 1970s, reflecting Scotland’s growing multicultural heritage. A common variant is Karim, which shares the same etymology and appears in many countries. The name also gained wider recognition through the character Kareem in the sitcom *The Simpsons*, though that reference is more playful than historical.