| Idris | Karim | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | studious, learned (disputed) | Generous, noble |
| Origin | arabic | Arabic |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | id-REES | kah-REEM |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 1957 |
| Peak year | 2025 (391) | 2023 (376) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 198 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Idris | Karim |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,938 | 1,613 |
| 2010s | 1,628 | 1,771 |
| 2000s | 543 | 1,242 |
| 1990s | 345 | 831 |
| 1980s | 283 | 646 |
| 1970s | 282 | 626 |
| 1960s | 0 | 132 |
| 1950s | 7 | 25 |
| 1910s | 5 | 0 |
Traditionally linked by Arabic sources to the root d-r-s (د-ر-س, 'to study, to learn'), giving 'studious, learned'; another old interpretation is 'interpreter'. Many scholars regard the ultimate origin as non-Arabic, since Idris is the Quranic prophet traditionally identified with the Biblical Enoch. The meaning is therefore disputed.
Karim means “generous” or “noble”; al-Karim is one of the names of God.
Karim is more popular than Idris today: about 198 US babies were given the name Karim in 2025, compared with 0 named Idris.
Idris means studious, learned (disputed) (arabic origin), while Karim means Generous, noble (Arabic origin).
In US records, Idris first appears in 0 and Karim in 1957, so Idris has the longer recorded history.