Karim (alternatively spelt Kareem, Kerim, Kareme or Kerem) is a common given an surname of Arabic origin. See Karim (name). The Russianized surnames Kerimov or Karimov (Каримов) for Central Asians from the former Soviet Union (e.g. Islom Karimov and Kerim Kerimov) comes from this given name. The meaning of Karim is generous.