Karen
Karen is of Danish origin, derived from the name Katherine, meaning 'pure'. It became popular in English-speaking countries in the mid-20th century as a standalone name with Scandinavian charm.
Current Popularity
#1281 for girls
in the United States (2025)
Popularity over time
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce in most languages
- •Has become associated with internet memes in recent years
- •Strong vintage appeal with mid-century roots
- •Well-established across many cultures
Similar Names
Famous People
Karen Carpenter
Singer and drummer
Karen Gillan
Actress
Karen Blixen
Author (wrote 'Out of Africa')
Karen O
Musician and lead singer of Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Statistics
987,989
Total births since 1880
1957
Peak year
Discovery
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