Karren
A girl's name of Danish origin with 2,177 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
alternative form of Karre
Karren is a girl's baby name of Danish origin, a variant of Karen, the Scandinavian form of Katherine, derived from the Greek katharos meaning 'pure.' Karen and its variants were massively popular in the mid-20th century across the English-speaking world.
EtymologyShow more
Karren first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1920. Its appearance in the 1920s coincides with waves of immigration, cultural exchange, and the early decades of American popular culture — all of which introduced and popularized new names.
Its Danish classification suggests a path from danish linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Karren has 67+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1920.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 7 | #14218 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 26 | #14925 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 53 | #11907 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 91 | #7045 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 194 | #3925 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 532 | #1613 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 525 | #1410 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 698 | #999 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 46 | #2834 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 5 | #5356 | — |
The Story of Karren
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1943, Karren is an elegant vintage name. Girls named Karren are most likely born between 1933 and 1953.
How rare is Karren?
With 2,177 total births on record, Karren remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1920, peaked in the 1940s with 698 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Karren by the numbers
- Would fill 45 school buses
- Meeting one Karren per day would take 6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(67 years, 1920–2010)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 7 | #14218 |
| 2008 | 5 | #18963 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14762 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9723 |
| 2000 | 5 | #16250 |
| 1997 | 5 | #14862 |
| 1996 | 6 | #12591 |
| 1995 | 8 | #10012 |
| 1994 | 5 | #14481 |
| 1993 | 7 | #11142 |
| 1992 | 6 | #12481 |
| 1991 | 9 | #8942 |
| 1990 | 7 | #10742 |
| 1988 | 9 | #8016 |
| 1987 | 9 | #7661 |
| 1986 | 8 | #8075 |
| 1985 | 8 | #7903 |
| 1984 | 7 | #8590 |
| 1983 | 8 | #7612 |
| 1982 | 14 | #5060 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Karren a boy's or girl's name?
When was Karren most popular?
How popular is the name Karren?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1920–2010