Karens Are Slowly Going Extinct As Baby Name Drops In Popularity

Karens are slowly becoming extinct, after the name has dramatically plummeted off the popularity lists recently.

Apparently, naming your baby 'Karen' is a pretty big no-no these days, most likely because of the negative connotation picked up on social media.

In case you need a recap, people are often referred to as 'a Karen' if they are rude, passive aggressive, or overreact in a situation - particularly on social media.

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For example, Urban Dictionary claim 'a Karen' is someone who 'makes solutions to others' problems an inconvenience to her although she isn't even remotely affected'.

"Karen refuses to wear a face mask for her five minute trip to the supermarket during a pandemic. She harasses the workers, asks to see the manager and threatens to sue," the site explains.

So it's unsurprising that parents are pretty put off naming their baby Karen, right?

Apparently, the name has plummeted more than 170 spots on the Social Security Administration (SSA) list in the US, down to number 831, which marks its lowest ranking since 1927.

It's a stark contract the the moniker's popularity back in the sixties. In 1965 it was the third most popular girls' baby name, with 33,000 baby Karens born that year alone.

Meanwhile in the UK, there were 23 Karens born in 2015, 18 in 2016 and 16 in 2017. The number rose to 21 in 2018 before falling to just 14 in 2019.

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It certainly seems like the name could become extinct pretty soon!

But what are the most popular names?

Well, for girls in the UK, the top ranking names - according to Baby Centre - are as follows:

1. Sophia

2. Olivia

3. Amelia

4. Lily

5. Isla

6. Ava

7. Mia

8. Aria

9. Freya

10. Isabella

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And for boys...

1. Muhammad

2. Noah

3. Oliver

4. Arthur

5. Leo

6. Freddie

7. George

8. Theo

9. Charlie

10. Jack

Topics: Life News, Babies, Parenting

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot. Get in touch at [email protected].