Karin
Karin is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Pure.
Origin and history
Karin is a Scandinavian variant of Katherine, which ultimately derives from the Greek name Aikaterine. It enjoyed steady popularity in the U.S. during the mid-20th century but has become less common in recent years. Its classic European appeal gives it a timeless and familiar feel.
Popularity in the United States
28,532 babies in the United States have been named Karin since 1880. It ranks #856 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2036.
States where it is most popular
- CA (15.3 %)
- NY (13.7 %)
- IL (7.7 %)
- PA (5.9 %)
- MI (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 6 |
| 1910-1920 | 77 |
| 1920-1930 | 104 |
| 1930-1940 | 557 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,812 |
| 1950-1960 | 5,769 |
| 1960-1970 | 8,784 |
| 1970-1980 | 6,008 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,419 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,106 |
| 2000-2010 | 536 |
| 2010-2019 | 289 |
| 2020-2029 | 65 |
Famous people named Karin
- Karin Slaughter: Author, Novelist
- Karin Dor: Actress
Fun facts
- Karin originated as a Swedish short form of Katherine before spreading widely throughout Nordic countries and North America.
- The name reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s.