Caren

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAIR-in /ˈkær.ɪn/Medium

Meaning: A respelling of Karen, a Danish short form of Katherine, from Greek katharos, 'pure.' The C- spelling was a mid-century American variant.Medium

In 30 seconds: Caren is a mid-century spelling of Karen, from Katherine, 'pure' (said 'KAIR-in').

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Origin MediumGreek, Danish

MeaningA respelling of Karen, a Danish short form of Katherine, from Greek katharos, 'pure.' The C- spelling was a mid-century American variant.

U.S. rank (2019)#14152 ↘ Falling

2019 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1957

Total births (all-time)≈ 9,560

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Caren is a variant of Karen, a Danish short form of Katherine, from the Greek katharos, 'pure.' As Karen swept mid-century America, spellings like Caren appeared; it crested around 1957 and then receded, now a period spelling of a baby-boom staple.

A few thousand American girls received it in all; Caren now reads as a vintage variant of Karen.

Did you know? Caren peaked around 1957 and faded within a generation, a C-spelled twist on the ubiquitous Karen.

Overall data confidence 76%

References — Caren — Variant of Karen; short for Katherine

Variations

KarenCarynKarin

Nicknames

CareCarrie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Caren…

Karen— the parent name Caren respells

Karin— a sister spelling

Sharon— a same-era staple

Kristin— a like Katherine-family name

Explore names like Caren

By themevintage variant 1950s greek-root

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Caren mean?

Caren is a variant of Karen, a short form of Katherine, meaning 'pure.'

How do you pronounce Caren?

It's said KAIR-in /ˈkær.ɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Caren a boy or girl name?

Caren is used as a girl's name.

Is Caren making a comeback?

Not notably — it's a late-nineteen-fifties favorite that has been uncommon since, a vintage spelling of Karen.