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Name Origin

Karen is a feminine given name of Scandinavian origin, primarily derived from the Danish and Greek names Katharina or Katherine. It means 'pure' or 'clear'.

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Famous People

Karen Carpenter (1950-1983)

Singer, drummer

  • Grammy Award-winning singer and drummer for the Carpenters
  • Known for her distinctive contralto vocals

Karen Allen (1951-)

Actress

  • Starred in films like 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and 'Starman'
  • Known for her portrayal of strong female characters

Karen Horney (1885-1952)

Psychoanalyst

  • Pioneer in the field of feminist psychoanalysis
  • Developed theories on neurosis and anxiety

Karen Gillan (1987-)

Actress, Filmmaker

  • Known for roles in Doctor Who and Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Won a BAFTA Scotland Award for Best Actress in Film

Karen Silkwood (1946-1974)

Nuclear safety activist

  • Worked at the Kerr-McGee plutonium processing plant and raised concerns about safety issues.
  • Subject of the film 'Silkwood' (1983)