Karen - girls name

Karen name popularity, meaning and origin

Name Popularity: 43%

Karen name meaning:

The name Karen is of Danish origin and is derived from the name Kaare, which means "pure" or "chaste." It is also associated with the Greek name Katherine, meaning "pure" or "clear." In recent years, the name Karen has gained a negative connotation due to its association with a stereotypical entitled and demanding middle-aged woman, as depicted in internet memes and popular culture.

Historically, the name Karen has been popular in Scandinavian countries and gained popularity in English-speaking countries in the 20th century. It peaked in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. The name Karen has often been associated with qualities such as intelligence, kindness, and reliability. However, its recent association with a particular behavior and attitude has overshadowed these positive attributes in popular culture.

It is important to note that the meaning and interpretation of a name can vary depending on cultural and societal contexts. While the name Karen may have gained a negative connotation in recent years, it is essential to consider the individual's personality and character rather than making assumptions based on the name alone.

Origin: Greek

Pure.

Related names

Karen , Caryn, Carynn, Karena, Karin , Karina , Karine, Kerrin

Other girls names beginning with K

Statistics

Overall UK ranking: 3192 out of 5581

7 recorded births last year

Change in rank

  • 10yrs

    -1818
  • 5yrs

    -1503
  • 1yr

    -1419

    Regional popularity

    Ranking for this name in various UK regions

Historical popularity of Karen

The graph below shows the popularity of the girls's name Karen from all the UK baby name statistics available. It's a quick easy way to see the trend for Karen in 2024