What Does the Name Karen Mean In the Bible?

Last updated on May 14th, 2023 at 10:49 pm

What Does the Name Karen Mean In the Bible?

In the Bible the name Karen is commonly interpreted to mean “chaste” or “pure”. This is when it comes from its Danish origin. For the purpose of this article, though, we will focus on the meaning of the name Karen as it pertains to the Christian Bible and the Hebrew language. Even when you look at the meaning “pure”, this can be significant because God wants us to be pure and righteous.

However, there is a Hebrew version of the name Karen that better links the name and its meaning to the Bible. Karen, or Keren, is translated from Hebrew with a few different meanings. The name can mean “ray”, as in a ray of light or sunshine, as well as “foundation”, “horn”, or “antler”.

Unlike some of the other Hebrew names, Karen does appear in the Bible— though it is under a slightly different spelling. We will go over this and the biblical significance of the name in more detail below.

Everyone named Karen also has be given spiritual gifts and should use them to build their life, and build the lives of others. Check here for a list of the gifts and what they mean.

A name is the very first gift that we can give to our child, so when we are thinking up a name, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the decision! One thing to remember is that different names can have varying meanings when they appear in different cultures and languages.

For instance, a name may have one meaning in one part of the world, and have a different meaning in relation to a culture or a religion. In this vein, many names have different meanings when it comes to Christianity.

An example of one of these names is Karen. Keep reading to learn more about the name Karen and its appearance and significance in the Christian Bible. 

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Meaning of the Name Karen

The name Karen is commonly interpreted to mean “chaste” or “pure”. This is when it comes from its Danish origin. For the purpose of this article, though, we will focus on the meaning of the name Karen as it pertains to the Christian Bible and the Hebrew language. Even when you look at the meaning “pure”, this can be significant because God wants us to be pure and righteous. However, there is a Hebrew version of the name Karen that better links the name and its meaning to the Bible. Karen, or Keren, is translated from the Hebrew with a few different meanings. The name can mean “ray”, as in a ray of light or sunshine, as well as “foundation”, “horn”, or “antler”. Unlike some of the other Hebrew names, Karen does appear in the Bible— though it is under a slightly different spelling. We will go over this and the biblical significance of the name in more detail below.

Significance of the Name Karen

Karen is a girl’s name, and when it appears in the Bible, you may not recognize it at first because it has a different spelling. Karen, or Keren, is a shortened version of the name Keren-happuch. Keren-happuch appeared in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. She was one of the three daughters of Job, and was the youngest of the three. If you are familiar with the story of Job, you will know that God tested him— once he had been restored to prosperity, then Job was able to welcome the birth of his three daughters later in life, including Keren-happuch. Karen, therefore, is taken from the name of a real biblical figure as well as being a name derived from the Hebrew language.

Name History of the Name Karen

The name Karen is a Danish name, but it is also found in the Hebrew language and in East Asia, too! As we mentioned above, each iteration of the name has a different meaning. Karen is a girl’s name that became extremely popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It started to lose steam, though, going into the 1970s and 1980s. In 2020, the name was ranked at number 828 for baby girls being born. Some famous women who share the name include Karen Ackerman, an American children’s author, and Karen Allen, the American actress. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the spiritual meaning of the name Karen?

Names can have different meanings and connotations, and they can even ache different significances, too. A name may have a particular cultural significance or a spiritual meaning. Many people believe in the spiritual meaning of names. The name Karen is one name that can be interpreted in a few different ways. Spiritually, this name can be linked to fortune and health. The original meaning of the name is “pure”, so spiritually, Karen can also be interpreted to mean “pure of spirit” or have a name meaning along these lines.

What does the name Karen mean in English?

The same name may have one meaning in one culture or language, and mean something else in another culture or language. This is because of word origins, for one thing. The name Karen is an example of this. In East Asia, it can be translated to mean “pretty” or “lovely”. This is because of the combination of kanji for “flower” and “lotus” or “water lily” to get the name Karen in Japanese. On the other hand, in English, it means something else. In English, Karen is usually interpreted to mean “pure” or “chaste”. When used in the west, Karen comes from a Danish name originally, which is where we get these translations from— as compared to the translation of the name in East Asia.

What is the name Karen in the Bible?

The name Karen is a Danish name, originally, and it means “chaste” or “pure”. However, the name can also come from the Hebrew language, especially if you are looking at the meaning of the name in relation to the Bible or religion. It has a different significance here! Karen comes from the name Keren. Keren-happuch was a biblical figure appearing in the Jewish Bible and in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. She was the youngest of the three daughters of Job, all three of which were given to him later in life once God had made her father prosperous once again. Karen, or Keren, is a shorter version of her name. 

What are Hebrew names for Karen?

Karen is a name that is found in more than one language and culture! For instance, it can be found in Japan, but can also be found in the United States. In each culture and language, the meaning of the name changes, too. Karen can be found in Hebrew and is linked to Christianity as well. Karen can be linked to the name Keren in Hebrew, which is the name of one of the three daughters of Job. Her full name was Keren-happuch, so Keren, or Karen, is a shortened version of the name. The Hebrew version of Karen can be translated to mean “ray”, like a ray of sunshine. It can also mean “horn”, “antler”, or “foundation”.

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About the author

Lucas is a former worship pastor and Hillsong College graduate (2005). He has spoken at churches, conferences and worship events and loves inspiring people to be more than just a Sunday service-goer. He founded 15 Degrees NE and is one of our leading authors.

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