America’s Male “Karen” Has a Name

The name “Karen” became a widely recognized internet label used to describe someone seen as entitled, rude, or overly demanding in everyday situations. It often appears in jokes about people asking to “speak to the manager.”

Over time, the term spread far beyond memes and social media humor. It became a cultural shorthand, used in videos, posts, and commentary to quickly signal a certain kind of behavior.

However, the label has also sparked criticism. Many people named Karen have said the stereotype has led to bullying and unfair assumptions about them personally.