Karen vs. Kristen: which name is older?
The average Karen is 63 and the average Kristen is 41, so Karen is the older name, by about 22 years.
Karen
Kristen
When was each name popular?
Karen peaked first, in 1957 (in the late 1950s). Kristen peaked in 1982, 25 years later.
Which name is more common?
There are about 790,000 Karens and about 210,000 Kristens alive in the US, so there are about 4 times as many Karens as Kristens.
Boys or girls?
Both are girls' names: over 99% of living Karens and over 99% of living Kristens are women.
Names the same age as Karen
Names the same age as Kristen
More comparisons: Karen vs. Sharon
Think you can guess a Karen's age?
Ten names, one slider each. Share your score.
Karen or Kristen: questions
Which is older, Karen or Kristen?
The average Karen is 63 and the average Kristen is 41, so Karen is the older name, by about 22 years.
How old is the average Karen?
The average Karen in the US is 63; half of all living Karens are between 58 and 72.
How old is the average Kristen?
The average Kristen in the US is 41; half of all living Kristens are between 34 and 48.
Which is more common, Karen or Kristen?
There are about 790,000 Karens and about 210,000 Kristens alive in the US, so there are about 4 times as many Karens as Kristens.
Estimates from Social Security Administration baby-name records (births 1880–2025) and SSA cohort life tables (2026 Trustees Report). How we calculate this