NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Karan

Of Indian origin meaning accomplished or successful.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Karan is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Karan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1322, with 20 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 61 births.

This profile covers 803 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 796 living people in the UK are called Karan. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Karan ranked #1322 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 20 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1996, when 61 boys were registered as Karan.
  • About 796 living people in the UK are estimated to have Karan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 99.1% of Karan registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#1322

2024

Births in 2024

20

Latest year

Peak year

1996

61 births

Estimated living

796

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Karan

In England and Wales birth records, Karan has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 99.1% of registrations are for boys and 0.9% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

99% boys
Boys803 (99.1%)Girls7 (0.9%)

Karan registered for boys

  • Ranked #1,322 in 2024
  • 20 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 1996 (61 births)

Karan registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,707 in 2010
  • 3 girls registered in 2010
  • Peak: 2003 (4 births)

Meaning

What does Karan mean?

The name Karan has its roots in the Sanskrit language, originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "karan," which means "cause" or "reason." The name has been in use for centuries, with records of its existence dating back to ancient Hindu texts and scriptures.

One of the earliest references to the name Karan can be found in the epic Hindu poem, the Mahabharata. In this ancient text, Karan is the name of one of the central characters, a mighty warrior and the son of the charioteer Adhiratha and the celestial nymph Kunti. The story of Karan is a tragic one, as he is unaware of his royal lineage and faces many challenges and hardships throughout his life.

In Hindu mythology, Karan is also associated with the deity Kartikeya, the god of war and the son of the god Shiva and the goddess Parvati. This association has contributed to the name's popularity among Hindu communities.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Karan. One of the earliest recorded examples is Karan, a Jain monk who lived in the 8th century CE. He is credited with writing several important Jain texts and is considered a significant figure in the Jain tradition.

Another prominent Karan was Karan Singh, an Indian diplomat and politician who served as the Maharaja of Kashmir from 1925 to 1952. He was born in 1919 and played a crucial role in the integration of Kashmir into the Indian Union.

In the realm of literature, Karan Nagarkar was a renowned Indian novelist and playwright who lived from 1942 to 2019. His works, including the acclaimed novel "Cuckold," explored the complexities of Indian society and culture.

Karan Johar, born in 1972, is a celebrated Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his contributions to the Hindi film industry, often referred to as Bollywood.

Karan Brar, born in 1999, is an American actor of Indian descent, best known for his role as Ravi Ross in the Disney Channel series "Jessie" and its spinoff "Bunk'd."

The name Karan has maintained its popularity across various regions and cultures, particularly in India and among the Indian diaspora around the world. Its rich historical and cultural significance has contributed to its enduring appeal as a given name for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Karan over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Karan in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Karan, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 20 births in 2024, compared with 61 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
015314661199620102024

Decades

Karan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Karan was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #1526 82 5
2010s #1517 171 10
2000s #708 348 10
1990s #423 202 4

Notable bearers

Famous people named Karan

  • Karan Bilimoria, Baron Bilimoria

    businessperson; politician

    Indian-origin British entrepreneur and a life peer (born 1961)

    1961-

  • Karan Rangarajan

    writer; surgeon; researcher

    researcher

  • Karan Sagoo

    model; film actor; television actor

Related

Names similar to Karan

FAQ

Karan: questions and answers

How popular is the name Karan in the UK right now?

In 2024, Karan was ranked #1322 for boys in England and Wales, with 20 births registered.

When was Karan most popular?

The peak year on record was 1996, with 61 babies registered as Karan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Karan?

Of Indian origin meaning accomplished or successful.

How many people are called Karan in the UK?

A total of 803 babies have been registered as Karan across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.