UK boy's name
Karn
A Hindu masculine name referring to the god of war and sun.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2006. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Karn is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Karn popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2006 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4052, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 4 births.
This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1996 to 2006. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 10 living people in the UK are called Karn. 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 2007 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Karn ranked #4052 for boys in England and Wales in 2006, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 4 boys were registered as Karn.
- • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Karn as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4052
2006
Births in 2006
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
4 births
Estimated living
10
2026
Meaning
What does Karn mean?
The name Karn is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Indian subcontinent. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Karna," which means "ear" or "one who listens attentively." The name is often associated with the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, where one of the central characters is named Karna.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Karn can be found in the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas, which date back to around 1500-500 BCE. In these sacred texts, the name is mentioned in various contexts, often referring to individuals who were known for their wisdom, courage, and devotion to the divine.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Karn or its variations. One of the most famous was Karna, a prominent figure in the Mahabharata, who was born to an unwed mother and raised by a charioteer. Despite his humble beginnings, Karna became a skilled warrior and played a pivotal role in the epic battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
Another historical figure with this name was Karn Singh (1915-2009), an Indian field marshal and the last surviving feudal ruler of the princely state of Bikaner in Rajasthan. He was known for his bravery and service during World War II, where he fought alongside the British Indian Army.
In the realm of sports, Karn Sharma (born 1987) is an Indian cricketer who has represented the national team in various formats, including Test matches, One Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals.
The name Karn has also been associated with several notable individuals in the field of literature and arts. Karn Naat (1956-2008) was a prominent Thai poet and playwright, known for his works that explored themes of love, loss, and societal issues.
Another noteworthy individual with this name was Karn Kalra (1923-1973), an Indian artist and sculptor who was renowned for his contributions to the modern art movement in India. His works often depicted themes from Hindu mythology and were characterized by their unique style and use of materials.
While the name Karn has its roots in ancient Sanskrit and Hindu traditions, it has transcended cultural boundaries and has been adopted by individuals from various backgrounds and regions around the world, each adding their own unique stories and contributions to the rich tapestry of this name's legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Karn over time
The chart below shows babies named Karn registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2006. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Karn, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2006, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Karn by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Karn 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4052 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2629 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Karn
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Karn: questions and answers
How popular is the name Karn in the UK right now?
In 2006, Karn was ranked #4052 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Karn most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 4 babies registered as Karn in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Karn?
A Hindu masculine name referring to the god of war and sun.
How many people are called Karn in the UK?
A total of 10 babies have been registered as Karn across the 3 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.