Kareen Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kuh-REEN /kəˈriːn/
Origin: Hebrew; French
Meaning: Hebrew: 'pure'; French: 'beloved'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kareen is believed to have roots in the Hebrew name "Keren," which means "horn" or "ray of light." This name can be traced through various linguistic transformations, moving from Hebrew to Greek and then to Latin. In the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, the name appears as "Keren," and it is often associated with the biblical figure Keren-Happuch, one of the daughters of Job, noted for her beauty and significance in the narrative.
The Latin adaptation of the name maintained its original meaning, and it eventually made its way into Old French as "Karin" or "Carine," before entering the English language as Kareen or its variants. Historically, the name has been used in various cultures and has been borne by notable figures throughout the centuries.
In the medieval period, variations of the name were common among European nobility and were often associated with virtues such as purity and light. The name's biblical connections contributed to its endurance in Christian contexts, particularly as it was included in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version in the early 17th century, which helped to solidify its presence in English-speaking cultures.
Culturally, Kareen has been associated with themes of strength and illumination, drawing from its original meanings. The name has often been linked to positive attributes, making it a favored choice in various traditions.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Kari" have emerged in different cultures, reflecting the name's adaptability and continued relevance. Overall, Kareen's etymological roots and historical significance contribute to its lasting resonance in various cultural contexts.
Famous people named Kareen
In this section, you will find notable people named Kareen. 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 Kareen who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kareen 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.
Kareen Abdul Jabbar is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning six NBA championships and being the all-time leading scorer in NBA history.
Kareen K. is a singer-songwriter best known for her hit singles and contributions to the indie music scene.
Fictional characters named Kareen
The following list of fictional characters named Kareen is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Kareen is a fictional character from the novel and film The Hunger Games. She is a stylist who plays a crucial role in preparing the tributes for their public appearances.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kareen, 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 Kareen. 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 Kareen was first seen in the United States in 1921.
Kareen has ranked as high as #1928 nationally, which occurred in 1975, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Kareen has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kareen 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 Kareen 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 Kareen.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2017 | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| 2016 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
| 2013 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2012 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
| 2010 | 15 | 7 | 8 |
| 2009 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 2008 | 15 | 6 | 9 |
| 2007 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2006 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 2005 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2004 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 2003 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 2002 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 2001 | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| 2000 | 22 | 9 | 13 |
| 1999 | 26 | 13 | 13 |
| 1998 | 20 | 5 | 15 |
| 1997 | 17 | 7 | 10 |
| 1996 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1995 | 21 | 11 | 10 |
| 1994 | 24 | 7 | 17 |
| 1993 | 38 | 19 | 19 |
| 1992 | 29 | 16 | 13 |
| 1991 | 27 | 16 | 11 |
| 1990 | 38 | 17 | 21 |
| 1989 | 42 | 19 | 23 |
| 1988 | 38 | 20 | 18 |
| 1987 | 25 | 11 | 14 |
| 1986 | 26 | 18 | 8 |
| 1985 | 23 | 15 | 8 |
| 1984 | 49 | 29 | 20 |
| 1983 | 41 | 23 | 18 |
| 1982 | 59 | 35 | 24 |
| 1981 | 53 | 29 | 24 |
| 1980 | 58 | 35 | 23 |
| 1979 | 48 | 31 | 17 |
| 1978 | 65 | 36 | 29 |
| 1977 | 86 | 45 | 41 |
| 1976 | 76 | 50 | 26 |
| 1975 | 100 | 71 | 29 |
| 1974 | 62 | 49 | 13 |
| 1973 | 58 | 30 | 28 |
| 1972 | 61 | 36 | 25 |
| 1971 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1970 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1969 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1968 | 21 | 0 | 21 |
| 1967 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1966 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 1965 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 1964 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1963 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1962 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1961 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1960 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 1959 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1958 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 1957 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1956 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1955 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1954 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1953 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1952 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1951 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1950 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1949 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1948 | 26 | 0 | 26 |
| 1947 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| 1946 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1945 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1944 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1943 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1942 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 1941 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
| 1940 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| 1939 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1938 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 1937 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1936 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1935 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1934 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1933 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1932 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1921 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Top States for Kareen (2002)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 7 |