Karen
KAH-ren
A name historically tied to Katherine, often associated with purity.
Meaning
In the excerpted 19th-century source, Karen appears among forms related to Katharine/Katherine, which points back to the Greek name meaning “pure.” In broader usage, Karen is generally treated as a shortened or related form of Katherine/Katharina rather than a name with a separate original meaning.
Origin
GermanGreekfeminine
Fun fact
The excerpt groups Karen with forms like Kathrina and Karina, showing how fluid spelling and diminutive forms were in older name books.
Confidence: mixed. Sources: History of Christian Names.