Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Karan
BoySanskrit, Hindi· “from Karna, hero of the Mahabharata”
- Meaning
- from Karna, hero of the Mahabharata
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Hindi
- Pronunciation
- KUR-un
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #7,005
- US babies 2025
- 12
- Best rank
- #1,332 (1995)
- Peak year
- 1995
Meaning and origin of Karan
Karan is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that is usually said to mean “from Karna, hero of the Mahabharata”.
Karan is the Hindi form of Karna, one of the central heroes of the Mahabharata, the Sanskrit epic. Karna was the son of Surya, the sun god, and Kunti, and he was born with divine earrings and armor. Abandoned at birth, he was raised by a charioteer and became a great warrior. His name is usually linked to the Sanskrit karna, "ear," referring to his earrings. It is said KUR-un in Hindi. The filmmaker Karan Johar has made the name widely known in India. Karna is the Sanskrit form.
Other spellings with the same sound: Karen, Karon, Charon.
Popularity over time
Karan first appears in US Social Security records in 1973. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,332 in 1995, the same year it reached its highest count of 78 babies. In 2025, 12 babies were named Karan, and it ranked #7,005 nationally. That is 48% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,033 in 2000, #3,349 in 2010, and #7,005 in 2025. Of the 1,512 US boys named Karan since records began, 37% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 529 babies. Since 2010, 315 more have been named Karan.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Diante, Taquan, Naquan, Marquell, and Diondre.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Karan is usually pronounced KUR-un, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-an”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Karen, Karon, and Charon.
Middle names for Karan
A few middle names that flow with Karan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Karan
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Lists that include Karan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Karan mean?
Karan is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that is usually said to mean “from Karna, hero of the Mahabharata”.
What is the origin of the name Karan?
Karan has Sanskrit and Hindi roots. Karan is the Hindi form of Karna, one of the central heroes of the Mahabharata, the Sanskrit epic.
Is Karan a popular name?
Not especially. Karan ranked #7,005 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Karan a boy or girl name?
Karan is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Karan?
Karan is usually pronounced KUR-un. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings