Karen
Karen is a boy's name of Armenian origin.
Meaning
In Armenian, derived from an Iranian Parthian feudal clan name meaning 'far-reaching' or 'brave'. In Danish (traditionally feminine), it means 'pure'.
Origin and history
While primarily recognized in the West as a feminine name of Danish origin (derived from Katherine), Karen is also a traditional masculine given name in Armenian, originating from the ancient Persian name Karen/Karin. In the United States, male usage is rare, recorded in small numbers throughout the 20th century.
Popularity in the United States
2,785 babies in the United States have been named Karen since 1880. It ranks #2452 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1916.
States where it is most popular
- CA (28.3 %)
- NY (22.6 %)
- PA (10.9 %)
- OH (10.4 %)
- IL (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 68 |
| 1940-1950 | 454 |
| 1950-1960 | 563 |
| 1960-1970 | 722 |
| 1970-1980 | 376 |
| 1980-1990 | 272 |
| 1990-2000 | 178 |
| 2000-2010 | 103 |
| 2010-2019 | 38 |
| 2020-2029 | 11 |
Famous people named Karen
- Karen Khachanov: Tennis Player
- Karen Demirchyan: Politician
Fun facts
- Karen functions independently as a traditional masculine name in Armenia and a feminine name in Scandinavia.
- The masculine name traces back to the House of Karen, one of the Seven Great Houses of Iran in antiquity.