MallowbyNames

Karenna

kuh-REN-uh · Of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Karen, itself a Danish form of Katherine, or a modern coinage.

Peak popularity
2001
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 2001

Declining since 2001.

Popularity of Karenna since 1993

Babies named Karenna per year in U.S. Social Security records.

183654200020102020Most births 2001Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1990s61
2000s229
2010s47
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Karenna is a modern American name that first appeared on the U.S. baby name charts in 1993. It reached its peak usage in 2001, but has been declining in popularity since that year. The name does not have a clear etymological root, but is often considered a variant of Karen or a creative spelling of Carina. Its rarity gives it a distinctive feel, and it has not been associated with any top states or famous bearers. Karenna remains a choice for parents seeking a name that sounds familiar yet uncommon.

Karenna first appeared in the United States in 1993 and saw peak usage in the early 2000s. It may be a feminization of the Irish name Kieran or a variant of Karen, which is a Danish diminutive of Katherine. Alternatively, it could be a modern blend of sounds from names like Kara and Jenna.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Kari, Ren, Kenna

Variants: Karena, Karina

Sibling names for Karenna

Names that share Karenna's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

K is for Karenna, our favorite little girl.

K is for Karenna…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Karenna's letter becomes Karenna's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Karenna's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Karenna mean?
The meaning of Karenna is uncertain. It may be related to Karen, a Danish form of Katherine meaning 'pure,' or a modern feminine form of Kieran, meaning 'little dark one.'
How popular is the name Karenna?
Karenna has never ranked in the top 1,000 U.S. names. It first appeared in 1993, peaked in 2001, and has been falling in use since then.
Is Karenna a boy or girl name?
Karenna is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.