What Does the Name Karin Mean?
Karin is a girl's name of Scandinavian/German origin meaning “pure.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Karin |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Scandinavian/German |
| Meaning | pure |
| Variants | Karen, Katarina, Carin, Caren |
| Popularity | Extremely common in Sweden and Germany through the mid-20th century; a classic Scandinavian name. |
The meaning and origin of Karin
The name Karin means “pure” and has Scandinavian/German origins. A Scandinavian and German form of Katherine (Katharina), traditionally linked to Greek katharos 'pure'. A widespread Nordic variant of Karen/Katarina.
Variants and related names
Karin is related to several other names you may recognize: Karen, Katarina, Carin, Caren. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Karin?
Extremely common in Sweden and Germany through the mid-20th century; a classic Scandinavian name.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Karin mean?+
The name Karin means “pure” and is of Scandinavian/German origin.
What is the origin of the name Karin?+
Karin originates from Scandinavian/German.
Is Karin a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Karin has trended in the US over time.
Karin 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