Karen
pure (Greek via Danish/English)
Karen is a english / other girl name in the Philippines. In the civil registry as of May 2021 it is number 84, with 65,219 records. It has 2 syllables.
Origin and meaning
pure (Greek via Danish/English)
Karen originated as a Danish diminutive of Katherine (from Greek Aikaterine, meaning 'pure') and became widely used across the English-speaking world during the 20th century. In the Philippines, it was popularized during the post-war and modern eras, establishing itself as a standard, widely given female name.
Derived as a Danish short form of Katherine, ultimately from the Greek Aikaterine, meaning 'pure'. It entered Philippine naming traditions primarily through American English influence in the mid-to-late 20th century.
Name character
In the Philippines
Very common as both a standalone given name and in compound pairings (e.g., Karen Joy, Karen Mae, Maria Karen). Common informal nicknames include Ren, Kay, or Kare.
Related forms
- Karen Danish
- Catalina Spanish
- Katherine English
Would your family give Karen?
Mark it if your family would give this first name. The count is for 2026 on this site. It is not the civil registry, and it is not babies registered in 2024. One browser can choose a name once in the year.
No family on this site has marked Karen for 2026 yet.
Karen with common surname pairs
Each pair is a mother's maiden surname plus a father's surname. The number is the sound-fit score for this first name.
Related girl names
About the name Karen
How do I use Karen with two Filipino surnames?
Karen is the given name. The full name is Karen + mother's maiden surname + father's surname. Score a pair from a combination page or the homepage search.
Is Karen a common girl name in the Philippines?
In the civil registry as of May 2021, Karen is number 84, with 65,219 records. That is not the 2024 birth list, and it does not say the name is a better choice. How it sounds with both family surnames is a separate score.