Karen

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAIR-un /ˈkɛər.ən/High

Meaning: Pure; beloved; Danish/Scandinavian form of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine (pure)High

In 30 seconds: The Danish and Scandinavian form of Katherine meaning 'pure.' A top-3 U.S. name in the 1950s–1960s, Karen has faced cultural headwinds from internet meme use, but the name itself simply means 'pure' and belongs to millions of real women.

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Origin HighGreek, Danish

MeaningPure; beloved; Danish/Scandinavian form of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine (pure)

U.S. rank (2025)#1281 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births175 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1957

Total births (all-time)≈ 987,986

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

Karen is the Danish and Scandinavian form of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine (pure). It was brought to wide American use through Scandinavian immigration in the late 19th–early 20th century and peaked in the mid-20th century.

Karen ranked #1263 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Karen was the #3 most popular U.S. girls' name in 1965 — and the 'Karen' internet meme, which began around 2017, attached social commentary to a name that millions of real people carry. The name means simply 'pure' and deserves to be considered on its own merits.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Karen — Greek/Danish etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KarinCarenKaran

Nicknames

Kari

Famous Bearers

★Karen Blixen (1885-1962)
Danish author who wrote Out of Africa (1937) under the pen name Isak Dinesen; one of Denmark's most celebrated literary figures.

If you like Karen…

Katrina— Scandinavian form of Katherine in the same tradition

Carolyn— two-syllable classic from the same mid-century peak generation

Kathleen— echoes that soft -en sound

Ellen— shares the -en ending

Jensen— shares the -en ending

Explore names like Karen

By themegreek two-syllable scandinavian mid-century danish katherine-family

By meaningLove Purity

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Karen mean?

Karen means 'pure,' as the Danish and Scandinavian form of Katherine, from Greek Aikaterine.

How do you pronounce Karen?

It's said KAIR-un — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Karen a boy or girl name?

Karen is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Karen?

Karen ranked #1263 for U.S. girls in 2024.