← All names

Karan

Girl name · 7 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Karan: 7 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 1974.

Karan is most familiar in English-speaking contexts as a variant of Karen, itself a Danish diminutive of Katherine, ultimately from the Greek *katharos* meaning “pure.” It also stands as an independent masculine name in India, borne by the heroic prince Karna of the Sanskrit epic *Mahabharata*—a meaning of “ear” or “ray of light” is sometimes associated. Among notable modern figures are actor Karan Brar (known for *Diary of a Wimpy Kid*) and influential filmmaker Karan Johar. The name shares no prominent place connections in Scotland, but it does echo the much-loved Scottish and Irish name Ciarán (“little dark one”), though the spellings differ. Its dual heritage makes Karan a versatile choice, equally at home in a Scottish register as a nod to South Asian roots.