Girl · 6th of 12,526
Karen
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
990,595
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1957
Peak Popularity Year
40,667
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Karen stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Karen originates from Danish, derived from Katherine, which means 'pure'. It evolved through various forms including Katherine and Catherine before settling as Karen. The name gained popularity in the mid-20th century and is currently perceived with mixed connotations, influenced by cultural stereotypes. Notable individuals with this name include Karen Carpenter and Karen Gillan.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɛrən/
Origin
Danish
Etymology
The name Karen is derived from the Danish form of Katherine, which ultimately comes from the Greek name Aikaterine. The meaning of Katherine is often associated with 'pure' or 'unsullied'.
Meaning
pure
Language Evolution
Katherine, Catherine, Karen
Historical Usage
The name Karen became popular in the English-speaking world in the mid-20th century, particularly in the United States, where it peaked in popularity during the 1940s and 1960s.
Variants & Derivatives
Karin, Katherine, Cathy, Kate
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Karen has gained a mixed perception. While it retains its original appeal as a classic name, it has also been associated with negative stereotypes in popular culture.
Famous People
Karen Carpenter, Karen Gillan, Karen O
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Gradually Declining
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 40,667 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in District of Columbia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 7 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1557th of 6773 | 369 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 973rd of 7552 | 1,115 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1245th of 10718 | 725 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2526th of 16616 | 394 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 7222nd of 24088 | 152 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 14787th of 23106 | 29 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1101st of 9107 | 802 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 46th of 9204 | 98,788 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6th of 12526 | 587,291 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 13th of 19264 | 217,283 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 104th of 27321 | 47,907 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 180th of 35406 | 30,365 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 671st of 30306 | 5,239 |