Karen is my name

[Squills]

Recently someone posted a photo of a hairstyle she was considering... apparently it is a 'Karen' hairstyle and people quickly voiced their disapproval, not so much of the actual hair style, but of the association with 'Karen'.

My name was Karen until I changed it earlier this year.

I felt increasingly hurt and upset when, on an almost daily basis, I'd read or watch someone being vile about my name.

I felt uncertain whether to make the change as I hoped given time it would all die down... but it hasn't. The deciding factor came when I saw someone carrying a placard stating 'We say Karen to be nice, what we mean is cunt'.

Changing my name was fairly easy but time consuming. It was worth the cost and the effort though as I feel relieved to be able to introduce myself without embarrassment. I didn't realise fully how badly it was affecting me until I made the change.

If you want to get an idea of how it feels to have your name dragged through the mud enter your name into the Empathy Generator in the link below.

karenismyname.org/renamer

When you consider how much thought parents give to naming their baby, think how they feel now their chosen name is now considered an insult on a par with the word cunt.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

I've just done it with my name.

That's hard-hitting, to say the least.

[Halfwaytoholiday]

That placard - I assume it was on a march, not a random walking down the street with it? If so, can I ask what kind of march (so I can avoid the twats)

[enchantedstar]

Agree with you. I just did it for my name and I hated the Karen ‘thing’ before but I really understand now

[NiceGerbil]

The only Karen I know is black and American.

The Karen thing is ageist sexist and usa- centric.

I hoped/ thought it was dying down now as a go to insult?

[camelfinger]

It’s a shame. I’ve always thought Karen is a nice name.

[ChristmasShearwater]

I think Karen is a pretty name - the clever, popular girls at my school were called Karen.

What makes me cringe is how posters think they're being oh so witty when they say " you look like a Karen" or "that's an I-want-to-speak-to-the-manager-haircut"

It's lame.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

@enchantedstar - same. I thought I understood it already, but now I actually do.

[Kollamoolitumarellipawkyrollo]

Wow that really does focus the mind. I hate the negative use of ‘Karen’. I too would have changed my name I think but felt really sad that the name my parents lovingly gave me was ruined.

[sluj]

It's horrible when things like this happen - starting with Tracey and Sharons.

[AtrociousCircumstance]

It’s pure misogyny. Women hating in supposed woke clothing. It’s hateful.

I’m sorry

[x2boys]

I used to have two good friends called Karen, blonde haired karen and brown haired karen, i dont really get the whole Karen thing now
Most karens i know will be in their 50,s and 60,s now.

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Every Karen I know is a lovely person.

[AtrociousCircumstance]

@x2boys

I used to have two good friends called Karen, blonde haired karen and brown haired karen, i dont really get the whole Karen thing now
Most karens i know will be in their 50,s and 60,s now.

That’s exactly it - it’s hating women of this age group.

[QueefofSheena]

I hate this, it’s so pathetic, basic and lazy. It’s used by people who have no imagination in the same way as “ok boomer”. You don’t hear people use an equivalent male name, funny that.

[TheMarzipanDildo]

So much misogyny in that link

[whatthejiggeries]

I find it offensive and I am not called Karen

[OhHeyItsSaturday]

I love the name Karen. I have an Auntie Karen and as a child I always wished I was called it, too.

I really dislike the recent negative use of the name.

[IcedSpice]

Wow! That hits home!

[toomuchfaster]

My best friend is called Karen and I hate the lazy, sexist bullshit is has to come to represent. It's like when older ladies were labelled witches in the middle ages. Fear of the older women is rife still.

[IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves]

I absolutely hate it. I understand its origin but it is used by men as a silencing technique. Stand up for yourself - you're a Karen. Don't Be Nice aka a doormat - you're a Karen. Exist as a middle aged woman - you're a Karen.

It's like that whole be kind nonsense. It means shut up, woman

[DedalusBloom]

Ah I'm sorry to hear that you've been driven to change your name. I'm
In my early 50s and went to school with tons of Karens. I've always liked the name. I've just put my name in the generator and yeah, that really does focus the mind.

It's lazy misogynistic bullshit and should be called out every time.

for you.

[FriedasCarLoad]

I keep objecting to the use of 'Karen' as an insult and being told I'm being oversensitive. I'm going to show them that site.

Thank you for posting. And I'm so sorry you've had to change your beautiful name.

[igelkott2021]

Every time I see "Karen" used as an insult I call it out. It has to stop. It is ageist and sexist and aimed at closing women over the age of about 45 down.

[QueefofSheena]

At least Karen asks to speak to the manager, not bellyaches on Twitter about cancelling someone. You don’t see Karen threatening women with rape and murder for their beliefs.

[igelkott2021]

And yes Wow to that website. That really does bring it home, but I have always hated the use of Karen as an insult as I am in the age group - not called Karen myself - but there were two in my primary school class and one of my best running friends is called Karen and was born 3 weeks after I was.