Karen vs Theodore

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Karen

Girl #1,261 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pure, chaste"

Origin: Greek via Danish

Cultural Roots

American English Danish Scandinavian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,261
Total SSA Count
184
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Kare

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Karen →

Popularity Comparison

Karen Rank #1,261
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #1261 for Karen.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Karen ___

  • Karen Lynn
  • Karen Ann
  • Karen Marie
  • Karen Sue
  • Karen Louise
  • Karen Beth

Theodore ___

  • Theodore James
  • Theodore William
  • Theodore Alexander
  • Theodore John
  • Theodore Henry
  • Theodore Arthur

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Karen

Deborah Linda Susan Gary David

If you choose Theodore

Olivia Charlotte Amelia Eleanor Oliver

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Karen or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Karen at #1261 in the United States.

What do Karen and Theodore mean?

Karen means "pure, chaste" (Greek via Danish origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Karen and Theodore boy or girl names?

Karen is primarily a girl name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Karen ← Full profile: Theodore Browse all baby names