Holding steady.
Popularity of Karess since 1975
Babies named Karess per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 79 |
| 1990s | 28 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Karess is an American coinage from the 1970s, directly inspired by the English word 'caress'. It reflects a broader cultural trend of selecting word names with positive meanings, particularly for girls. The name first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1975, but it has always remained exceptionally rare, never ranking among the top 1,000 names. Its peak year was 1986, and since then usage has been stable but minimal, with fewer than 5 births per year in most years. As a modern invention, Karess does not have deep historical roots, but its phonetic spelling gives it a distinctive touch. Despite its rarity, the name has a clear, pleasant meaning that appeals to parents seeking a unique yet intuitive name.
Karess is a phonetic respelling of the English word 'caress', used as a given name. It emerged in the United States during the mid-20th century, part of a trend of virtue and word names. The name has seen modest but consistent use since first appearing in Social Security records in 1975.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Caresse, Carress
Sibling names for Karess
Names that share Karess's style, for a brother or sister.
