Karen

Karen is a female given name of Danish origin, a diminutive form of Katherine through the Danish form Karin. The name Katherine itself derives from the Greek Aikaterine, though the exact meaning is disputed. In many countries Karen has been a common name in the mid-20th century and remains widely used, though its popularity has declined in recent decades in several English-speaking countries. Variants include Karin, Katharina, Katrin, and Katrina.

In popular culture, Karen has become a widely used stereotype since the 2010s, referring to a person, typically a middle-aged woman, perceived as entitled or demanding beyond what is normal, often associated with requesting to speak to a manager or calling authorities over minor disputes. The meme has drawn critique that it can stigmatize women and overlooks the broader social issues it purports to critique; some argue it is used to call out abusive behavior rather than target a gender. The term is not a formal psychological category and many people named Karen do not exhibit such behavior.

Notable people named Karen include Karen Bass, an American politician; Karen Gillan, a Scottish actress; Karen O, the American musician who fronts the Yeah Yeah Yeahs; Karen Allen, an American actress; and Karen Carpenter, the American singer and percussionist of the Carpenters.