Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

2K Shares
2K Shares
SatJun 8

National Karen Day – June 8, 2024

National Karen Day is celebrated on June 8 every year. Karen has been in use in the U.S. for over a century. As the 20th century began, Karen’s popularity in the U.S. was low. Every few years, the name would rise and fall on the charts as if it couldn’t decide whether to stay or go. And it chose to stay. Karen rose on the charts, from obscurity to high fashion, in 10 years from 1928 to 1937.

History of National Karen Day

Karen is the Danish counterpart of Katherine, which the English took from the French Catherine. Because of the popularity of a fourth-century Christian saint killed in Alexandria, Egypt, the French were among the most significant users of the feminine name Catherine in medieval times. The French would give their children saint names as protection, and many of these names were transferred to England during the Norman Invasion. Catherine’s etymology is unknown. However, she may be related to the Greek goddess of the wilderness, childbirth, and crossroads, Hecate.

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, dubbed “the pure one,” was a Christian martyr tormented on the wheel for her religious convictions in the fourth century. Catherine is commonly related to the Greek word ‘katharos,’ meaning ‘pure.’ Our current use of the Greek-derived word ‘catharsis’ to purge or cleanse contributes to Katherine’s purity and innocence. Katherine was renamed Karen in Danish (a Germanic language), and Scandinavian settlers brought the name to America. Karen was among the top 100 girl names in 1938, peaking at #50 on the rankings.

Karen’s most successful decades were the 1950s and 1960s when the name was among the top 10 favorites for girl names. The name even made it to the top of the charts in 1965, only to be surpassed by Lisa and Mary. Karen began her steady descent down the charts following her heyday in the 1970s, eventually dropping out of the Top 100 list in 1987 after a 50-year run.

Karen, like Annika or Ingrid, has that powerful Scandinavian no-nonsense character. Karen is an excellent choice for those who love unadorned, confident-sounding modern classic names.

National Karen Day timeline

1885
Karen Blixen is Born

On April 17, Blixen is born and is considered the most famous woman named Karen.

1983
Karen Carpenter Passes Away

On February 4, Carpenter dies of heart failure as a result of anorexia nervosa consequences, which were not well-known at the time, and her death raised awareness of eating disorders.

1987
Karen Gillan is Born

On November 28, Gillan is born in the Scottish town of Inverness, who is in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nebula.

2012
Karen Armstrong Receives an Award

Armstrong is honored with the Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue for her outstanding contributions to improving understanding of and across religions, as well as championing compassion as a way of life.

National Karen Day FAQs

What does it mean when someone gets called a Karen?

Karen is a derogatory epithet for a white lady who is believed to be entitled or demanding beyond the norm. White women who utilize their white privilege to demand their way are frequently shown in memes.

Who is Karen in TikTok?

On TikTok, a mysterious elderly woman has gone viral. People can’t get enough of a woman who looks to be from the U.K., who has 679,000 TikTok followers. Karen Hausman’s brief video confessionals have captured the hearts of TikTok users.

What is a Karen haircut?

The Karen hairstyle is an inverted bob or lob, often known as an A-line cut. The front is always longer, and the back is always shorter. Karen haircuts are usually coupled with big highlights and can be split in the middle or have an asymmetric fringe.

National Karen Day Activities

  1. Ask your parents about your name

    Ask your parents why you were given the name Karen. Maybe you will hear a fascinating story from their answers. Having these kinds of conversations with your parents always creates deeper bonds.

  2. Appreciate a Karen

    If your mother's name is Karen, thank her for taking care of you since you were little. Give a gift as a form of your gratitude. If not, appreciate and give thanks to those named Karen in your life.

  3. Share an appreciation post

    Share an appreciation post on your social media to celebrate Karen Day. You can also tag your friend, whose name is Karen.

5 Fun Facts About The Name Karen

  1. The male version of Karen

    The names Ken and Kevin are among the most popular male versions of Karen.

  2. Ranked 831th

    Karen is the 831st most prevalent baby name in the U.S.

  3. 325 Karen babies in 2020

    According to the Social Security Administration, only 325 infants were named Karen in the U.S. in 2020.

  4. The last Karen in Canada

    Karen, dubbed "The Last Karen," was born in 2019 at Toronto's Western Hospital.

  5. The slang meaning of ‘Karen’

    ‘Karen’ is a slang name for an unpleasant, furious, entitled and frequently racist middle-aged white woman who uses her advantages to have her way or police the behavior of others.

Why We Love National Karen Day

  1. Karens have solid characters

    Karen has a solid character and is a person who has strong moral principles, ethics, and personal qualities. A person with a solid character will be honest, trustworthy, and dependable. They can make good decisions without being influenced by outside forces.

  2. Karens are practical

    Karens have practical characteristics and a strong ability to take action. They are willing to take risks and make sacrifices to achieve their goals. These people are the ones who will be successful in life because they are always looking for ways to improve themselves and their surroundings.

  3. Karens are hard-working

    Karens are hard workers who tend to be very productive and efficient at what they do since they've worked on a task long enough to make it second nature. Their confidence and drive come from knowing they can do whatever needs to be done.

National Karen Day dates

YearDateDay
2024June 8Saturday
2025June 8Sunday
2026June 8Monday
2027June 8Tuesday
2028June 8Thursday

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.