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Karena

Girl name · 7 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Karena: 7 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 1978.

A modern variant of Karen, Karena ultimately traces back to the Greek Aikaterine, a name of uncertain origin that has long been associated with the word katharos, meaning “pure.” The form Karen gained international popularity through the Danish pronunciation of Katherine, and Karena emerged as a distinctive, melodic spin on that classic. Notable bearers include Hong Kong actress Karena Lam, known for her roles in films such as *Inner Senses*, and American actress Karena Turner, who appeared in the 1990s series *The Bold and the Beautiful*. While no major places share the name directly, the related name Katherine has inspired countless towns and institutions worldwide. Karena offers a fresh, less common alternative to Karen, with a softer ending that feels both contemporary and elegant—a choice that balances tradition with individuality.