Declining since 1994, #13,208 for girls today.
Popularity of Karine since 1917
Babies named Karine per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 6 |
| 1930s | 22 |
| 1940s | 54 |
| 1950s | 44 |
| 1960s | 208 |
| 1970s | 192 |
| 1980s | 209 |
| 1990s | 209 |
| 2000s | 158 |
| 2010s | 68 |
| 2020s | 37 |
Meaning & origin
Karine has never been among the most popular names in the United States. Its peak popularity came in 1966, when it ranked highest, but it has been on a downward trajectory since 1994. In 2025, the name ranked 13,208th, with roughly 1 in 267,878 newborns receiving it. First recorded in U.S. data in 1917, Karine has maintained a steady but low level of usage over the decades. The name's appeal may lie in its Scandinavian and French flair, offering a distinctive alternative to the more common Caroline or Karen. Though it has no top states in the most recent data, Karine is a classic choice for parents seeking a name with roots in Northern European tradition.
Karine is a Scandinavian and French variant of Karin, which is a short form of Katherine. Katherine is of Greek origin, from the name Aikaterine, whose meaning is debated; it is often associated with the Greek word katharos, meaning 'pure'. The name spread through Christian culture due to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and has numerous variants across Europe.
“Karine” around the world
Where Karine lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kari, Kaja, Rina
Sibling names for Karine
Names that share Karine's style, for a brother or sister.
