KAREN  

Gender: F
Origin: Danish variation of KATHERINE
Meaning: "pure"

Popularity in 2008: #183

This sweet good-girl Danish import was so popular during the baby boom (Number 3 in 1960) that it's locked firmly into fashion limbo today.

Variations:
Carynn, Kerron, Karaina, Kaaren, Carina, Karon, Carrin, Carryn, Kerrin, Carynne, Karna, Karenna, Karryn, Kerran, Kari, Koren, Karren, Caron, Karyn, Carren, Karra, Kerynne, Karron, Caronn

International Variations:
Kaarina (Finnish) Kalena, Kalina (Hawaiian) Keren, Keryn (Hebrew) Karyna, Karina, Karine (Russian) Kyran, Carin, Karin, Kieron, Karan, Queron, Caren, Karena, Caryn (Scandinavian)

Karen is being discussed in our message boards:

• Build a sibling set together!
• A thought
• Poll: Once a Nickname... Always a Nickname???
• Popular names you just don't 'get'.
• Is Iola (not Lola) really so bad?

Read Nameberry blog posts about Karen:

• HEROINE NAMES: Worthy Women with Notable Names, Part 2: Cultural Icons
• HOORAY FOR HENRY: The quirky classic that manages to stay cool
• THE UN-WEIRDLY-NAMED STARBABY BOYS
• HELLO DOLLY: Names from the Doll World
• THE FOUR-GENERATION RULE