Is Karan a very common name in north India? And does it refer to Karan, the character in the Mahabharat? Very interesting... bcos in the places/communities I am familiar with in the south, the name Karan is almost non-existent.
Karan of the Mahabharat is considered a tragic hero, left behind by his mother, insulted all his life for being brought up by charioteers, then being unable to tell anyone about his royal lineage, and then dying at the hands of his own brother etc etc...so people won't name children after such characters... most people are named after Arjun or Bheem. Even Yudhistir is a very rare name.
I personally love the character of Karan in Mahabharat... just asking u all here, if in north India, the name Karan is not seen in the same way.
Sorry for being so curious!