KAREN
Karen
Surname Origin: British
Meaning: The surname Karen is of British origin and is derived from the Old Welsh personal name 'Caren', which means 'love' or 'beautiful'. It is believed to have been used as a given name before becoming a surname.
Distribution: The surname Karen is not very common in Britain. It is mostly found in certain regions, with historical records showing concentrations in Wales and parts of England.
Famous Bearers:
- Karen Gillan: A Scottish actress best known for her role as Amy Pond in the television series Doctor Who and as Nebula in the Guardians of the Galaxy films.
- Karen Hauer: A Venezuelan professional Latin dance specialist and World Mambo Champion, known for her appearances on the British television show Strictly Come Dancing.
Variants: Variants of the surname Karen include Karren and Karran, reflecting different regional pronunciations and spellings over time.
Coat of Arms: The Karen family does not have a recorded coat of arms associated with the surname.
Genealogy: Tracing the Karen family tree can be challenging due to the limited prevalence of the surname. Genealogical research may require exploring variant spellings and regional records to establish family connections.
Contemporary Significance: While the surname Karen may not be widespread, those who bear it often take pride in its unique origins and noble meaning. Modern individuals with the surname Karen continue to contribute to various fields, maintaining the legacy of their heritage.
References:
- P.H. Reaney, Wilson. A Dictionary of English Surnames. Routledge, 2011.
- Sims, Eleanor. The Book of English Surnames. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2018.
There are approximately 359 people named Karen in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around six in a million people in Britain are named Karen.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alexander
- Andrews
- Bond
- Brown
- David
- Henry
- Matthew
- Max
- Nicholas
- Paul
- Robert
- Simpson
- Smith
Female
- Donna
- Eileen
- Elizabeth
- Eugenie
- Jacqueline
- Josephine
- Julie
- Kelsey
- Nicole
- Verena
Similar and related surnames
- Cairens
- Careen
- Caren
- Carens
- Carnie
- Caron
- Carren
- Carron
- Carun
- Coren
- Corn
- Craine
- Creane
- Crone
- Curen
- Curren
- Grain
- Greeno
- Kare
- Kareen
- Karena
- Karlen
- Karno
- Karon
- Karouni
- Karran
- Karren
- Karue
- Karuna
- Kearen
- Kearn
- Kearon
- Kearons
- Kehren
- Keiron
- Keren
- Kerens
- Keron
- Kerren
- Kerron
- Kieren
- Kieron
- Kiren
- Koreen
- Koren
- Kuren
- Kuron
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.