Karianne is of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse elements "karl" meaning "freeholder" or "strong," and "ann" which signifies "grace." The name has a unique blend of strength and elegance, reflecting its Norse heritage. It gained prominence in Norway during the late 19th century but remains relatively uncommon internationally. In English-speaking countries, it is often spelled with an 'e' at the end as Karianne, whereas in Scandinavian languages, it may appear as Karine or Karen without the final 'e.'
The name Karianne experienced significant popularity from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, with a peak of 35 births in 1971 and an average of around 28 births per year during this period. However, its usage declined sharply thereafter, dropping below 30 births per year by 1974 and continuing to decrease until the late 1990s when it reached single digits. Since then, the name has remained relatively uncommon, with fewer than 15 births per year on average. In total, there have been 999 recorded births named Karianne from 1967 to 2016.