Before making a name for himself as Kareem, he was first known as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. Kareem changed his name back in 1971 after he converted to Islam. According to Abdul-Jabbar, he was inspired by Malcolm X and secretly changed his name back in 1968 and made it known to the public two years later.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. on August 16, 1947, in New York City, New York. He was known as Lew Alcindor until his 1973 name change.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar was originally known as Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. He converted to Islam in 1968 and changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a sign of his faith in the religion.