Karen

If you were a parent in the 1950s or 1960s, Karen was almost certainly among the top names you'd consider. A Danish short form of Katherine, Karen derives from the Greek Aikaterine, a name long associated with purity—though its true origins remain uncertain. For decades, Karen was a powerhouse: it peaked in 1957 when over 40,000 American girls received the name, making it one of the most popular choices of the mid-20th century. In total, nearly a million Karens have been born in the U.S. since 1880.

Today, the name carries a more complicated legacy. Due to a specific internet meme that emerged in the late 2010s, "Karen" became shorthand for a certain entitled, demanding persona—a cultural shift that sent usage into a steep decline. In 2025, only 175 baby girls were named Karen, a 50% drop from the previous five-year period. Yet before this unfortunate association, Karen had a rich roster of notable bearers: actress Karen Allen starred in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Karen Carpenter’s voice defined the soft rock of the 1970s, and Karen Blixen (writing as Isak Dinesen) penned Out of Africa. The name’s feel today is undeniably retro, like a relic of mid-century suburbia—think of a name like Linda or Susan. For parents drawn to its vintage charm but wary of its baggage, similar options include Cora, Kiera, or even the more formal Katherine, which sidestep the meme entirely while retaining a classic, crisp sound.