Karan Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KAH-ran //ˈkɑːrən//
Origin: Sanskrit; Indian
Meaning: Sanskrit: 'doer' or 'worker'; Indian: 'one who is kind'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Karan has roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Sanskrit word "karana," which means "instrument" or "cause." This term is often associated with action and agency in Hindu philosophy. The name has been adopted into various cultures, including those influenced by Indian languages, and has undergone phonetic adaptations in different regions.
As it transitioned into English and other languages, it maintained its phonetic integrity while also being embraced for its cultural significance. Historically, the name Karan is linked to significant figures in Indian epics, particularly the Mahabharata, where Karna is a central character known for his valor and loyalty.
This epic, composed around the 4th century BCE to the 4th century CE, has had a profound influence on Indian literature and culture, establishing Karna as a symbol of nobility and tragic heroism. The name has also been associated with various historical and mythological figures across South Asia, contributing to its enduring presence in cultural narratives.
Culturally, Karan embodies themes of strength, duty, and moral complexity, resonating with the values found in many traditional stories and teachings. The name is often celebrated in literature, music, and art, reflecting its deep roots in the cultural consciousness.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Kari" may be used affectionately, though they are less common in formal contexts. Overall, Karan's historical and cultural significance underscores its lasting impact within the societies that embrace it.
Famous people named Karan
In this section, you will find notable people named Karan. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Karan who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Karan who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Karan Johar is a filmmaker and television personality best known for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, My Name Is Khan, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
Karan Singh Grover is an actor and model best known for Qubool Hai, Dill Mill Gayye, and Alone.
Karan Patel is an actor best known for Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, and Khatron Ke Khiladi.
Karan Brar is an actor best known for Jessie, Bunk'd, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Karan Anand is a musician best known for his work in the Indian music industry.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Karan, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Karan. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Karan was first seen in the United States in 1936.
Karan has ranked as high as #1307 nationally, which occurred in 1956, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Karan has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Karan is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Karan was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Karan.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2024 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2023 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2022 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2021 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2020 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2019 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2018 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 2017 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2016 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2015 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2014 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2013 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 2012 | 34 | 34 | 0 |
| 2011 | 28 | 28 | 0 |
| 2010 | 33 | 33 | 0 |
| 2009 | 47 | 47 | 0 |
| 2008 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 2007 | 38 | 38 | 0 |
| 2006 | 41 | 41 | 0 |
| 2005 | 63 | 63 | 0 |
| 2004 | 82 | 73 | 9 |
| 2003 | 74 | 68 | 6 |
| 2002 | 60 | 60 | 0 |
| 2001 | 77 | 77 | 0 |
| 2000 | 55 | 50 | 5 |
| 1999 | 86 | 73 | 13 |
| 1998 | 52 | 52 | 0 |
| 1997 | 58 | 53 | 5 |
| 1996 | 73 | 66 | 7 |
| 1995 | 88 | 78 | 10 |
| 1994 | 68 | 61 | 7 |
| 1993 | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| 1992 | 51 | 39 | 12 |
| 1991 | 40 | 34 | 6 |
| 1990 | 37 | 37 | 0 |
| 1989 | 32 | 22 | 10 |
| 1988 | 30 | 21 | 9 |
| 1987 | 28 | 17 | 11 |
| 1986 | 22 | 17 | 5 |
| 1985 | 17 | 7 | 10 |
| 1984 | 28 | 13 | 15 |
| 1983 | 19 | 8 | 11 |
| 1982 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1981 | 19 | 6 | 13 |
| 1980 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1979 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1978 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1977 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 1976 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1975 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1974 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 1973 | 28 | 5 | 23 |
| 1972 | 31 | 0 | 31 |
| 1971 | 52 | 0 | 52 |
| 1970 | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 1969 | 50 | 0 | 50 |
| 1968 | 49 | 0 | 49 |
| 1967 | 56 | 0 | 56 |
| 1966 | 80 | 0 | 80 |
| 1965 | 91 | 0 | 91 |
| 1964 | 101 | 0 | 101 |
| 1963 | 85 | 0 | 85 |
| 1962 | 115 | 0 | 115 |
| 1961 | 112 | 0 | 112 |
| 1960 | 110 | 0 | 110 |
| 1959 | 152 | 0 | 152 |
| 1958 | 137 | 0 | 137 |
| 1957 | 164 | 0 | 164 |
| 1956 | 170 | 0 | 170 |
| 1955 | 156 | 0 | 156 |
| 1954 | 114 | 0 | 114 |
| 1953 | 109 | 0 | 109 |
| 1952 | 110 | 0 | 110 |
| 1951 | 98 | 0 | 98 |
| 1950 | 106 | 0 | 106 |
| 1949 | 95 | 0 | 95 |
| 1948 | 87 | 0 | 87 |
| 1947 | 98 | 0 | 98 |
| 1946 | 95 | 0 | 95 |
| 1945 | 59 | 0 | 59 |
| 1944 | 73 | 0 | 73 |
| 1943 | 91 | 0 | 91 |
| 1942 | 84 | 0 | 84 |
| 1941 | 56 | 0 | 56 |
| 1940 | 31 | 0 | 31 |
| 1939 | 26 | 0 | 26 |
| 1938 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1937 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1936 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
Top States for Karan (2019)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |