Karen
From Danish Karen, a vernacular form of Catherine that arose in medieval Denmark.
Every Karen since 1881 — 990,774 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Karen
Karen is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,281 in 2025 with 175 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1881, 990,774 American babies have been named Karen. Its peak came in 1957, when 40,668 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Karen stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Karen year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 175 | #1,281 | — | — |
| 2024 | 186 | #1,255 | — | — |
| 2023 | 226 | #1,092 | 5 | #13,199 |
| 2022 | 199 | #1,218 | — | — |
| 2021 | 229 | #1,088 | — | — |
| 2020 | 332 | #821 | 6 | #11,308 |
| 2019 | 440 | #662 | 6 | #11,459 |
| 2018 | 470 | #637 | — | — |
| 2017 | 554 | #556 | 7 | #10,234 |
| 2016 | 617 | #508 | — | — |
| 2015 | 627 | #505 | 5 | #13,061 |
| 2014 | 633 | #494 | — | — |
| 2013 | 730 | #416 | — | — |
| 2012 | 897 | #354 | 5 | #13,248 |
| 2011 | 1,104 | #287 | 7 | #10,206 |
| 2010 | 1,288 | #248 | 8 | #9,245 |
| 2009 | 1,433 | #231 | — | — |
| 2008 | 1,816 | #187 | 5 | #13,582 |
| 2007 | 2,172 | #165 | 12 | #6,862 |
| 2006 | 2,031 | #173 | 11 | #7,184 |
| 2005 | 2,065 | #164 | 9 | #7,992 |
| 2004 | 2,168 | #155 | 12 | #6,336 |
| 2003 | 2,331 | #141 | 10 | #6,992 |
| 2002 | 2,225 | #150 | 6 | #10,051 |
| 2001 | 2,194 | #148 | 18 | #4,380 |
| 2000 | 2,174 | #153 | 20 | #4,000 |
| 1995 | 2,269 | #142 | 19 | #3,494 |
| 1990 | 2,716 | #120 | 18 | #3,390 |
| 1985 | 3,138 | #87 | 26 | #2,151 |
| 1980 | 5,055 | #54 | 27 | #2,028 |
| 1975 | 8,168 | #27 | 29 | #1,729 |
| 1970 | 16,699 | #12 | 48 | #1,199 |
| 1965 | 32,869 | #3 | 81 | #822 |
| 1960 | 36,378 | #4 | 72 | #894 |
| 1955 | 33,217 | #8 | 50 | #1,072 |
| 1950 | 24,132 | #12 | 36 | #1,212 |
| 1945 | 15,680 | #16 | 52 | #869 |
| 1940 | 7,283 | #34 | 37 | #1,084 |
| 1935 | 1,097 | #172 | 8 | #2,827 |
| 1930 | 100 | #689 | — | — |
| 1925 | 49 | #1,097 | — | — |
| 1920 | 42 | #1,179 | — | — |
| 1915 | 36 | #1,146 | — | — |
| 1910 | 11 | #1,473 | — | — |
| 1905 | 11 | #1,212 | — | — |
| 1900 | 8 | #1,505 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | 14 | #747 | — | — |
| 1885 | 10 | #715 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Karen
- Karen Blixen Writer · 1885–1962
- Karen Horney Psychologist · 1885–1952
- Karen Grassle Actor · b. 1942
- Karen Uhlenbeck Mathematician · b. 1942
- Karen Black Actor · 1939–2013
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Karen mean?
From Danish Karen, a vernacular form of Catherine that arose in medieval Denmark.
How popular is the name Karen in 2025?
Karen ranked #1,281 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 175 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Karen?
990,774 babies have been named Karen in the United States since 1881, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Karen most popular?
Karen peaked in 1957, when 40,668 newborns received the name.
Is Karen a boy or girl name?
Karen is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Karen rising or falling?
Karen is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Karen?
Well-known people named Karen include Karen Blixen (writer), Karen Horney (psychologist), Karen Grassle (actor).