Karen is not in the Bible. It is the Danish short form of Katherine, a Greek name whose origin is unknown. Early Christians linked Katherine with katharos, the Greek word for “pure,” and that link is why Karen is so often said to mean “pure.” Where does the name Karen come from? Karen began in Denmark as a short form of Katherine and became common in the English-speaking world after the 1930s. In the United States it was the eighth…

Continue reading with a subscription
Get unlimited access to all our premium content and exclusive features.
Enjoy unlimited access, cancel anytime.