Karen entered the English language from Danish, where it has been a short form of "Katherine" since medieval times. It proceeded from the Greek word Aikaterine, which is believed to mean "pure." It became popular in the English-speaking world in the 1940s. The name Karen was one of the top 10 names for girls born in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, peaking as the third most popular girl's name in 1965. Due to its increasingly common derogatory use since 2017, the name has become significantly less popular in the United States in recent years.
Karen is a proper name and should not be used otherwise. When used as slang to mean "bad" or "vile", feelings of anger, hate, and sadistic amusement are evoked and directed toward anyone with this name. The derogatory use of the name Karen started as a joke in current pop culture but it has been perpetuated to the point that the popularity of the name is in decline and some people who were given this noble name at birth have legally changed their name due to the stigma that is now attached. That's no longer a joke.
Karen is a proper name and should not be used otherwise. When used as slang to mean "bad" or "vile", feelings of anger, hate, and sadistic amusement are evoked and directed toward anyone with this name. The derogatory use of the name Karen started as a joke in current pop culture but it has been perpetuated to the point that the popularity of the name is in decline and some people who were given this noble name at birth have legally changed their name due to the stigma that is now attached. That's no longer a joke.
by Celtic Woman1 May 5, 2023
Get the Karen mug.A name--calling word typically referring to a female who is detested by someone else. Not to be confused by the pronoun Karen; a genuine name which a hospital will register on a Certificate of Birth.
by HunkyBeat March 1, 2022
Get the karen mug.Someone who always demands for the manager, Does not vax her kids, thinks the earth is flat, thinks science is false. And many more. She gets her "Info" from facebook from "Trusted" users
Worker: Sorry we dont serve breakfast after 11:00 am
karen: WHAT? THATS RIDICULES! LET ME SEE YOUR MANAGER!
karen: WHAT? THATS RIDICULES! LET ME SEE YOUR MANAGER!
by Duffka August 11, 2020
Get the Karen mug.Strong fearless woman who stands her ground against injustice, unshaken, outspoken, and relentless in the fight for truth.
Former definition to be replaced with Jen
Former definition to be replaced with Jen
by Massholedaddy June 18, 2025
Get the Karen mug.She is an entitled woman who cares about nothing but herself and wants her life to be as perfect as possible. If you tell her, "Ma'am you can't take that kfc bucket home without paying", she will call the manager only to find herself throwing a hissy fit and raging at the poor manager who just wants her to get the hell out. She will also fall to the ground if you are 1 foot close and block your car in many cases. Overall, a karen is an entertainment figure for the people around watching a young person being yelled at for no reason, unless you're the one being yelled at. Then its no fun.
by Angela A. Kukku October 8, 2023
Get the Karen mug.The highest point attained or attainable in being entitled to demand or demanding beyond the scope of what is normal or reasonable; depicted by women who use their privilege to demand their own way.
by Kit Jackson March 1, 2021
Get the Apex Karen mug.A person who speaks to your manager for the littlest things. Gives you apples and toothpaste for Halloween. Aka an asshole
Karen: Let me speak to your manager!
Employee: Is your name Karen?
Karen: Ya, how did you know?
Employee: oh, just a guess
Employee: Is your name Karen?
Karen: Ya, how did you know?
Employee: oh, just a guess
by Karen’s suck April 23, 2020
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