Karen
Meaning: Great or rocky hill
Origin: Irish/Gaelic
Gender: Girl
Rank in Australia: #6
Total births: 22,395
History: Karen peaked in the 1960s-70s in Australia as one of the era's defining women's names. Long before the internet meme, Australian Karens were the backbone of suburban communities — school volunteers, sporting club organizers, and neighborhood heart. The name represents generations of Australian women who kept communities running.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Australia’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (1986) | #98 |
| Babies named Karen in 1986 | 76 |
| Total recorded in Australia | 22,395 |
| Peak year | 1968 (1,109 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #1 |
| Years in records | 1952–1986 (35 years of data) |
| Change over last 5 years | ↓ 66 spots |
Frequently asked about Karen
What does the name Karen mean?
Karen means “Great or rocky hill” from Irish/Gaelic roots.
What is the origin of the name Karen?
Karen has Irish/Gaelic origin. The traditional meaning is “Great or rocky hill”.
How popular is Karen in Australia?
Karen ranked #98 in Australia in 1986 — given to 76 babies that year.
When was Karen most popular?
Karen peaked in 1968 with 1,109 babies registered that year in Australia.
Is Karen a boy or girl name?
Karen is predominantly a girls' name in Australia — over 90% of Karens in registered births are female.
Is the name Karen rising or falling in popularity?
Karen has fallen 66 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years in Australia — from #32 in 1981 to #98 in 1986.
How long has Karen been recorded in Australia?
Karen appears in birth records in Australia across 35 years — from 1952 through 1986.