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Karen

Girl name · 9,223 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Karen: 9,223 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 826 births in 1975.

Of Danish and Greek origin, Karen is the Danish form of Katherine, which ultimately derives from the Greek *Aikaterinē*, a name of uncertain meaning, though it has long been linked to *katharos*, meaning "pure." The name was popularised in Scotland during the 20th century, notably carried by Scottish actress Karen Gillan, best known for playing Amy Pond in *Doctor Who* and Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Culturally, it has no strong place-name connections through its own bearers, but it shares roots with countless places named after Saint Catherine, from St. Catherine’s in the West Indies to the Italian town of Santa Caterina. In recent years, the name has acquired a very different cultural association: internet meme culture repurposed "Karen" as a term for a demanding, entitled woman, a shift that has dramatically affected the name's popularity in Scotland and beyond.