The first name Karan
A unisex name meaning “karna”.
2 syllables Unisex
Meaning and origin
Karan means “karna”.
Derived from Sanskrit कर्ण (karṇa, “Karna”). Doublet of Karna.
A form of Karen.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 8 boys were named Karan, making it the 2,664th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 1996, with 61 births (#365).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Karan with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Karan at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 12 boys born in the United States were named Karan, the 7,005th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1956, when 170 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Karan
2 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Karan BrarAmerican actor, born 1999
- Karan AshleyAmerican actress, born 1975
Questions
- What does the name Karan mean?
- Karan means “karna”.
- How popular is the name Karan?
- In 2025, 8 boys born in England and Wales were named Karan, ranking 2,664th. Its peak was 1996, with 61 births.
- Is Karan a boy's or a girl's name?
- Both. Of the 4,962 US babies named Karan since 1880, 70% were girls and 30% boys.
- When was Karan most popular?
- 1956 in the United States, when 170 babies were named Karan, its highest rank at 746th.
- What name is Karan a form of?
- Karan is a form of Karen.