NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Karo

A Persian name meaning "maker" or "doer".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Karo is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Karo popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4001, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 6 births.

This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2006 to 2022. 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 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Karo. 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 2023 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Karo ranked #4001 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2017, when 6 boys were registered as Karo.
  • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Karo as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4001

2022

Births in 2022

4

Latest year

Peak year

2017

6 births

Estimated living

24

2026

Meaning

What does Karo mean?

The name Karo has its origins in the Finnish language and culture. It is believed to have derived from the Finnish word "kaari," meaning "arch" or "curve." This connection suggests that the name may have initially been associated with concepts of beauty, grace, or the natural world.

In Finnish mythology, the name Karo is sometimes linked to the god Ukko, who was associated with the sky, thunder, and rain. However, there is no definitive evidence of the name appearing in ancient Finnish texts or religious scriptures.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Karo date back to the 18th century in Finland. One notable bearer of the name was Karo Hämäläinen (1725-1795), a Finnish farmer and landowner who played a role in the Finnish peasant uprising against Swedish rule in the late 18th century.

Another historical figure was Karo Koskinen (1858-1924), a Finnish politician and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Finland from 1924 to 1925. He was instrumental in shaping Finland's policies during the country's early years of independence.

In the realm of arts and culture, Karo Munch (1892-1968) was a Norwegian actress and dancer who achieved fame in the early 20th century for her performances in various theatrical productions and films.

Karo Halonen (1911-1971) was a Finnish painter and graphic artist known for his landscapes and depictions of Finnish rural life. His works are celebrated for their vivid colors and expressive brushwork.

Lastly, Karo Araquistain (1886-1959) was a Spanish politician, writer, and intellectual who played a significant role in the Spanish Civil War. He served as the Minister of Labor in the Republican government during the conflict.

These examples showcase the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of individuals who bore the name Karo throughout history, spanning various fields and cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Karo over time

The chart below shows babies named Karo registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Karo, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2022, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Karo
02356200620142022

Decades

Karo by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Karo 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 #3925 8 2
2010s #3914 13 3
2000s #4052 3 1

Related

Names similar to Karo

FAQ

Karo: questions and answers

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

In 2022, Karo was ranked #4001 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Karo most popular?

The peak year on record was 2017, with 6 babies registered as Karo in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Karo?

A Persian name meaning "maker" or "doer".

How many people are called Karo in the UK?

A total of 24 babies have been registered as Karo across the 6 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.