Karan Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Karan is a name of Sanskrit origin, meaning 'ear' or 'hearing.' It evolved from the ancient name Karna in Hindu mythology, associated with traits of loyalty and generosity. The name does not have biblical relevance. Karan has gained popularity particularly in the 20th century within South Asian communities and is viewed positively in modern contexts.
The name Karan is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Karan has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Karan' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10718th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2256th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2270th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5321st out of 23106 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1584th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 933rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2194th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8195th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 20356th out of 35406 names. Discover how the name 'Karan' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Karan"
Pronunciation
/ˈkærən/
Origin
Sanskrit
Etymology
The name Karan is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Karna,' which means 'ear' or 'hearing.' In Hindu mythology, Karna is a significant character in the epic Mahabharata, known for his unwavering loyalty and generosity.
Meaning
ear, hearing
Language Evolution
Karna (Sanskrit), Karan (Modern usage)
Historical Usage
The name Karan gained popularity in India and among various South Asian communities, particularly during the 20th century, as a result of cultural influences from literature and media.
Variants & Derivatives
Karna, Karanjeet, Karanvir
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Karan is perceived positively, often associated with qualities like strength and loyalty, largely due to its mythological roots.
Famous People
Karan Johar (Indian filmmaker), Karan Singh Grover (Indian actor), Karan Patel (Indian television actor)
Explore More Karan Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Karan"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Karan"
"Karan" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10718th of 10718 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2256th of 16616 | 462 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2270th of 24088 | 825 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5321st of 23106 | 208 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1584th of 9204 | 458 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 933rd of 12526 | 2,213 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2194th of 19264 | 607 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8195th of 27321 | 134 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 20356th of 35406 | 38 |
Regional Popularity of "Karan" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
50.39% 1857th/3685 |
24.74% 1107th/4475 |
- |
31.82% 2010th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
53.93% 2471st/4582 |
24.96% 1289th/5164 |
53.40% 3905th/7313 |
21.28% 1588th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - |
46.73% 2933rd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Karan" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
56.60% 875th/1546 |
100.00% 1556th/1556 |
69.15% 1627th/2353 |
74.27% 1149th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
39.56% 881st/2227 |
41.28% 1003rd/2430 |
31.72% 905th/2853 |
34.85% 967th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
95.27% 2798th/2937 |
70.03% 2439th/3483 |
53.58% 1885th/3518 |
87.17% 3525th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
100.00% 5194th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Karan"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Karan" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.