Rising since 1994, #3,658 for boys today.
Popularity of Kerem since 1983
Babies named Kerem per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kerem's real moment was 2024.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 11 |
| 1990s | 19 |
| 2000s | 140 |
| 2010s | 301 |
| 2020s | 187 |
Meaning & origin
Kerem has been steadily rising in U.S. popularity since 1994, a trajectory that reflects its growing visibility among families of Turkish heritage and beyond. In 2025, the name ranked 3,658 nationally, with a 1-in-56,936 occurrence rate among newborn boys, suggesting a rare but noticeable presence. Its peak year so far was 2024, indicating continued upward momentum in the 2020s decade. New York and Texas, states with large Turkish-American communities, recorded the highest usage. The name's meaning of generosity ties to a valued trait, and its clean, modern sound fits well with current naming trends.
Kerem derives from the Turkish word for generosity or grace, ultimately from Persian كرم (karam), meaning generosity. It has been used as a given name in Turkey since at least the 20th century and gained popularity there and among Turkish communities abroad. The name is often associated with the compound name Kerem Ali.
Where Kerem is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kerem” around the world
Where Kerem lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kero, Rem
Variants: Kerim
Sibling names for Kerem
Names that share Kerem's style, for a brother or sister.
