Holding steady.
Popularity of Kareen since 1921
Babies named Kareen per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 | 0 |
| 1930s | 78 | 0 |
| 1940s | 175 | 0 |
| 1950s | 152 | 0 |
| 1960s | 192 | 0 |
| 1970s | 237 | 348 |
| 1980s | 180 | 234 |
| 1990s | 136 | 111 |
| 2000s | 108 | 23 |
| 2010s | 38 | 26 |
| 2020s | 5 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Kareen is a variant of Karen that emerged in the United States around the early 20th century, first recorded in 1921. Its peak popularity came in 1977, consistent with the broader rise of Karen and similar 'een' names. Despite never cracking the top 1000, it maintains a steady but low level of use. The name's exact etymology is debated; it may trace back through Danish to Greek katharos, meaning 'pure', or have independent origins in Armenian. Its top states of use are not concentrated in any particular region, reflecting a broad but sparse distribution.
Kareen is predominantly a variant of Karen, itself a Danish short form of Katherine. The name Katherine ultimately derives from Greek Aikaterine, associated with katharos, meaning 'pure'. In Armenian, Kareen (or Karine) is a given name of uncertain meaning, possibly related to kar 'stone' or from the name of a historical region. It has been used in English-speaking countries since the 20th century, with a peak in the 1970s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kari, Reen, K
Sibling names for Kareen
Names that share Kareen's style, for a brother or sister.
