Karen vs Katrina
Karen and Katrina compared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
In 1986, Karen was ranked #98 and Katrina #55 among girls in New South Wales, Australia.
New Zealand · Girls
In 1986, Karen was ranked #100 and Katrina #59 among girls in New Zealand.
Norway · Girls
In 2016, Karen was ranked #156 and Katrina #526 among girls in Norway.
Northern Ireland · Girls
In 2010, Karen was ranked #430 and Katrina #430 among girls in Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland · Girls
In 2019, Karen was ranked #871 and Katrina #716 among girls in Republic of Ireland.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2025, Karen was ranked #2440 and Katrina #2278 among girls in England and Wales.
Karen and Katrina over time
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Higher on the chart is a stronger position. The scale is logarithmic, so the gap from #1 to #10 is drawn as large as the gap from #100 to #1,000.
Karen and Katrina over time
Karen and Katrina appear together in 5 published lists, across 153 years of shared records. Karen held the stronger position in more years in 4 of them, Katrina in 1.
The order between them changed and held in 3 of those lists — a change in that published list, never a claim that one name displaced the other.
Karen reached its own highest recorded position earlier in 4 of those lists, and Katrina in none. Each position is a place inside its own list, so this compares when they peaked and never how high.
Counted list by list. Two names in the same published list are measured on the same scale in the same year, so those comparisons are real — but positions from different lists are not, so nothing here is combined into an overall standing.
How this pair is related
The relationship kinds these two qualify for, each under its own stated rule. Every one is drawn from a list they both appear in.
- One took the other's place near the top
In New Zealand · Girls, Katrina moved into the top 50 at #35 in 1982 as Karen fell out of it to #52, having been #34 the year before.
- One moved ahead of the other
In 1980, Katrina moved ahead of Karen in New South Wales, Australia · Girls — #21 and #29 the year before became #31 and #29.
- Repeatedly exchanged positions
Karen and Katrina changed places 4 times in England and Wales · Girls between 1996 and 2025, ending at #2440 and #2278.
- Closest over the longest run
Across 25 shared years in New South Wales, Australia · Girls, Karen and Katrina averaged 38.6 places apart, ending at #98 and #55.
- Longest-running competitions
Karen and Katrina were both ranked in Republic of Ireland · Girls for 51 years, from 1964 to 2019, ending at #871 and #716.
- Peaked in the same years
Both reached their highest recorded position in England and Wales · Girls within 2 years — Karen #417 in 1996, Katrina #177 in 1996.
List by list
Republic of Ireland · Girls51 shared years, 1964–2019
Karen held the stronger position in 49 of those years, Katrina in 2.
Highest recorded here: Karen #5 in 1977, Katrina #172 in 1978.
The order changed in 2019: Katrina moved ahead. In 2018 they stood at #471 and #734; by 2019 that had become #871 and #716.
Most recent shared year, 2019: Karen #871, Katrina #716.
England and Wales · Girls29 shared years, 1996–2025
Karen held the stronger position in 2 of those years, Katrina in 27.
Highest recorded here: Karen #417 in 1996, Katrina #177 in 1996.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2025: Karen #2440, Katrina #2278.
Norway · Girls26 shared years, 1978–2016
Karen held the stronger position in 26 of those years, Katrina in 0.
Highest recorded here: Karen #72 in 1997, Katrina #405 in 2005.
The order between them never changed and held in this list.
Most recent shared year, 2016: Karen #156, Katrina #526.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls25 shared years, 1962–1986
Karen held the stronger position in 18 of those years, Katrina in 7.
Highest recorded here: Karen #1 in 1963, Katrina #23 in 1981.
The order changed in 1980: Katrina moved ahead. In 1979 they stood at #21 and #29; by 1980 that had become #31 and #29.
Most recent shared year, 1986: Karen #98, Katrina #55.
New Zealand · Girls22 shared years, 1965–1986
Karen held the stronger position in 15 of those years, Katrina in 7.
Highest recorded here: Karen #1 in 1965, Katrina #16 in 1975.
The order changed in 1982: Katrina moved ahead. In 1981 they stood at #34 and #39; by 1982 that had become #52 and #35.
Most recent shared year, 1986: Karen #100, Katrina #59.
Two names moving past each other in a ranking is a fact about the ranking. Namewise does not claim one name displaced the other, that families chose between them, or that either influenced the other — none of that is in this data.
Where to go next
Comparisons that share a name, a rule or a published list with this one. Each is an existing comparison page with its own evidence — nothing here says these pairs are alike.
Other comparisons involving Karen
Pairs where Karen shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Karen vs Anna
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #34 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 7 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #19.
Karen · Anna · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Karen vs Julia
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #42 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #59.
Karen · Julia · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Karen vs Maria
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #33 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 8 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #63.
Karen · Maria · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
- Karen vs Christina
In 1964 they stood at #41 and #40 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2019 they were #871 and #325.
Karen · Christina · 56 shared years, 1964–2019 · Started together, ended far apart
Other comparisons involving Katrina
Pairs where Katrina shares a published list with another name, each measured inside one registrar's own list.
- Sarah vs Katrina
Both reached their highest recorded position in New Zealand · Girls within 2 years — Sarah #1 in 1974, Katrina #16 in 1975.
Sarah · Katrina · 26 shared years, 1965–1990 · Peaked in the same years
- Vanessa vs Katrina
Across 24 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Vanessa and Katrina averaged 11.5 places apart, ending at #76 and #81.
Vanessa · Katrina · 24 shared years, 1967–1990 · Closest over the longest run
- Louise vs Katrina
Across 26 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Louise and Katrina averaged 12.4 places apart, ending at #77 and #81.
Louise · Katrina · 26 shared years, 1965–1990 · Closest over the longest run
- Katrina vs Rachael
Across 22 shared years in New Zealand · Girls, Katrina and Rachael averaged 13.2 places apart, ending at #81 and #60.
Katrina · Rachael · 22 shared years, 1969–1990 · Closest over the longest run
Other pairs with the same kind of relationship
Pairs that qualify under the same rule as this one — one took the other's place near the top.
- Sean vs Adam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Adam moved into the top 50 at #9 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Adam · 61 shared years, 1965–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Charlie vs Oisin
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Oisin fell out of it to #247, having been #11 the year before.
Charlie · Oisin · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Charlie
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Charlie moved into the top 50 at #10 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Charlie · 33 shared years, 1983–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
- Sean vs Liam
In Republic of Ireland · Boys, Liam moved into the top 50 at #11 in 2018 as Sean fell out of it to #74, having been #5 the year before.
Sean · Liam · 62 shared years, 1964–2025 · One took the other's place near the top
Other pairs from New Zealand lists
Pairs measured inside New Zealand's own published lists, where this pair's strongest relationship is also recorded. Positions in these lists are not comparable with another registrar's.
- George vs Patrick
Over 64 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, George rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #50 and #60 in 1954 to #6 and #93 in 2020.
George · Patrick · 64 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- Patrick vs Alexander
Over 56 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Alexander rose about as far as Patrick fell — from #60 and #73 in 1954 to #93 and #32 in 2020.
Patrick · Alexander · 56 shared years, 1954–2020 · Mirrored each other
- James vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, James rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #20 and #61 in 1954 to #5 and #100 in 2005.
James · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
- Joseph vs Timothy
Over 52 shared years in New Zealand · Boys, Joseph rose about as far as Timothy fell — from #66 and #61 in 1954 to #27 and #100 in 2005.
Joseph · Timothy · 52 shared years, 1954–2005 · Mirrored each other
Other pairs ranked together in the 1980s
Pairs both ranked in the same published list at some point between 1980 and 1989.
- Grace vs Sinead
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #109 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2022 they were #2 and #905.
Grace · Sinead · 58 shared years, 1964–2022 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Therese
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #127 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 9 places apart; by 2015 they were #8 and #896.
Grace · Therese · 51 shared years, 1964–2015 · Started together, ended far apart
- Sarah vs Lorraine
In 1964 they stood at #46 and #47 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 1 places apart; by 2018 they were #21 and #896.
Sarah · Lorraine · 50 shared years, 1964–2018 · Started together, ended far apart
- Grace vs Pamela
In 1964 they stood at #118 and #116 in Republic of Ireland · Girls, 2 places apart; by 2017 they were #3 and #873.
Grace · Pamela · 46 shared years, 1964–2017 · Started together, ended far apart
Side by side
| Field | Karen | Katrina |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Official statistical record (evidence-only) | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | female | female |
| Meaning | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | Not yet recorded | |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand | New South Wales, Australia, England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Norway, New Zealand |
| Most recent popularity observation | Norway · Girls #442 (2025) | England and Wales · Girls #2278 (2025) |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Karen has 2 syllables, compared with 3 for Katrina.
- Both names have recorded usage in AU-NSW, GB-ENW, GB-NIR, IE, NO, NZ.
How each name got here
Karen
Popularity journey
First recorded1945
First recorded at #70 among girls in Norway in 1945 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1952–1986
Highest recorded position: #1 among girls in New South Wales, Australia, in 1963 (recorded 1952–1986).
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2440 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls
Katrina
Popularity journey
First recorded1962
First recorded at #85 among girls in New South Wales, Australia in 1962 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
New South Wales, Australia · Girls
Highest recorded1965–1990
Highest recorded position: #16 among girls in New Zealand, in 1975 (recorded 1965–1990).
New Zealand · Girls
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #2278 among girls in England and Wales, in 2025.
England and Wales · Girls