Karan is a unisex given name of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word 'kara', which means 'ear'. It is also associated with the Hindu god Karan, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In India, the name Karan is often used for boys, while in other countries like Canada and the United States, it has been popularly given to girls as well since the late 20th century. The name Karan can also be found in other South Asian communities around the world. It does not have any specific English equivalents, but some variations include Caren for females and Kara for both males and females.
The name Karan experienced a significant rise in popularity from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, peaking at 78 births in 1995, before declining steadily thereafter.