What is a Karen?

Karen is used to describe a stereotype of a demanding, entitled, and often confrontational middle-aged white woman. 

The term is typically used to describe someone who exhibits behavior perceived as entitled, self-centered, and prone to making unreasonable or excessive complaints or demands.

What is a Karen meme?

The Karen meme is a popular internet term referencing a specific type of middle-class white woman who exhibits privileged and problematic behavior.

The meme typically depicts a stereotype of a demanding, entitled, and socially oblivious middle-aged white woman who tends to make unreasonable complaints or demands.

How did Karen become popular on social media?

The term Karen became popular on social media as a meme a few years ago. While the exact origins are uncertain, it gained traction as a way for people, particularly black Americans, to satirize class-based and racially charged behavior. 

The popularity of the Karen meme grew as it evolved to reference various aspects such as a specific haircut, interactions with customer service, or instances of public racism. It became a widely recognized term to describe entitled or problematic behavior by certain individuals, particularly white women.

What is a male Karen called?

The male counterpart of a Karen is less commonly known but has been referred to as a Ken or a Chad in some cases. 

The term Ken is a play on the male name and has been used since at least 2020 to describe men who exhibit the same entitled or confrontational behavior as a Karen would.

Related Terms

Latest Posts

Brand Strategy: Sephora Gets “Skin Obsessed”

Sephora’s making a big play for the skincare market with its Skin Obsessed campaign. The beauty giant is leaning into the absolute chaos that is everyone’s skincare routine these days and positioning itself as the answer to all that overwhelming choice. Working with TBWA\Chiat\Day LA and filmmaker Taika Waititi, the campaign is rolling out everywhere:

Read More »

The Role of Social Listening in Managing Online Communities and Memberships

B2B marketing used to be confined to cold emails and trade shows. Today, it’s a digital-first, community-driven experience.  And a surprising 48% of B2B businesses use community-led growth.  Why? Because it: But here’s the problem: few B2B brands are getting community-led growth right.  Too many treat social media like a megaphone instead of a conversation.

Read More »