What Does the Name Karen Mean?
Karen is a girl's name of Danish (from Greek) origin meaning “pure.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Karen |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Danish (from Greek) |
| Meaning | pure |
| Variants | Karin, Karina, Catherine, Katherine, Caren |
| Popularity | A top 10 US girls' name in the 1960s |
The meaning and origin of Karen
The name Karen means “pure” and has Danish (from Greek) origins. A Danish short form of Katherine that entered English-speaking use in the 20th century. Through Katherine it is usually linked to the Greek katharos, meaning 'pure.'
Variants and related names
Karen is related to several other names you may recognize: Karin, Karina, Catherine, Katherine, Caren. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Karen?
A top 10 US girls' name in the 1960s
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Karen mean?+
The name Karen means “pure” and is of Danish (from Greek) origin.
What is the origin of the name Karen?+
Karen originates from Danish (from Greek).
Is Karen a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Karen has trended in the US over time.
Karen by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press