Karen May

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Karen May — pure
1.0 million People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
Advertisement

Karen May is a name that combines Scandinavian origins. The first name Karen is a feminine given name of Scandinavian origin. Scandinavian form of Katherine, from the Greek Aikaterine. Very popular in Scandinavia and in English-speaking countries from the 1950s. The surname May: May is a surname of Germanic (Saxon) and, independently, of Gaelic origin. There are many variants used in English-speaking countries, as well as several variants used in Germany. The Scottish May is a sept of Clan Donald. The surname "May" remains a common surname in the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, as well as among Russians of German origin; possibly also persisting in areas of the Netherlands and France. Karen is one of the most widespread first names worldwide, carried by approximately 1.0 million people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Karen reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Karen

Meaning: pure

Scandinavian

Scandinavian form of Katherine, from the Greek Aikaterine. Very popular in Scandinavia and in English-speaking countries from the 1950s.

Surname: May

Germanic

May is a surname of Germanic (Saxon) and, independently, of Gaelic origin. There are many variants used in English-speaking countries, as well as several variants used in Germany. The Scottish May is a sept of Clan Donald. The surname "May" remains a common surname in the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, as well as among Russians of German origin; possibly also persisting in areas of the Netherlands and France.

Advertisement

Geographic Distribution

The first name Karen is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 46%
Sweden 14%
Norway 10%
Denmark 7%
United Kingdom 22%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Karen by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
Advertisement

Notable People Named Karen May

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Karen May:

7
Expression Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

7
Soul Urge Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

9
Personality Number

Compassion and humanitarianism. A generous, idealistic nature with a sincere desire to improve the world.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Karen?
The first name Karen originates from Scandinavian. Scandinavian form of Katherine, from the Greek Aikaterine. Very popular in Scandinavia and in English-speaking countries from the 1950s.
When was Karen most popular?
The name Karen reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname May?
The surname May originates from Germanic. May is a surname of Germanic (Saxon) and, independently, of Gaelic origin. There are many variants used in English-speaking countries, as well as several variants used in Germany. The Scottish May is a sept of Clan Donald. The surname "May" remains a common surname in the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, as well as among Russians of German origin; possibly also persisting in areas of the Netherlands and France.
What are the origins of the name Karen May?
The name Karen May combines two different traditions: the first name Karen has Scandinavian roots, while the surname May originates from Germanic.
Advertisement