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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

What do you think of Karen?

90 replies

vividgingerchilli · 04/08/2011 22:29

I am thinking of using this name for as yet unborn DD, any thoughts? And any suggestions for an unusual but not weird middle name to go with it please?
Thanks

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morganster · 26/06/2013 22:21

I know this is a lovely topic but this baby was born over 2 years ago. it's nice to carry on though I'm sure it's helpful to someone somewhere.

Yika · 26/06/2013 21:56

Very pretty kleeen!

kleeen · 26/06/2013 08:23

Nice call, Yika: I'm Karin Elise (pronounced car-in)!

KittenofDoom · 25/06/2013 23:50

The problem with Karina is the multiple spelling variations: Karena, Carina, Carena etc. Same with Ciara (Keira, Kiera etc). Not so much with Katrina although there is the Scottish spelling Catriona of course.

FetaCheeny · 25/06/2013 20:43

Dated sorry.
Karina, katrina, Ciara much better.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 25/06/2013 19:39

I really like it and I like Karensa even more :)

KittenofDoom · 25/06/2013 19:35

Karen was in fashion for a long time, there are plenty of 50s-born Karens about.

TheBirdsFellDownToDingADong · 24/06/2013 09:46

Grin at Elquota. Just read to see if I was on original thread.

Do you know, I quite like it.

Although when the Outnumbered child was called it, it seemed wrong wrong wrong, because she just wouldn't have been. Those parents, that family, those siblings, she would have been called Tabitha or Matilda or Freya.

I was always waiting for it to come up in the script as to why she was called Karen, because it needed explaining. thinks too much about not real people

tammytoby · 24/06/2013 06:48

A refreshing change from all the Ellies and Evies. I like Karen. Classic and not overused.

bugsybill · 24/06/2013 00:50

Very 70s.

ThoraNomiki · 23/06/2013 23:13

I'm sure the OP would have decided by now Wink Grin

Elquota · 23/06/2013 23:13

O l d T h r e a d

Z o m b i e A l e r t

bootsycollins · 23/06/2013 23:03

When I hear Karen I instantly think Carpenter, then I feel sad and end up with a Carpenters song stuck in my head all day, as well as the made for tv Carpenters story.

mum2jakie · 23/06/2013 23:01

A lovely name that will stand out amongst the Ellas and Esmes! Good choice. What about Marie as a middle name?

Yika · 23/06/2013 22:59

I quite like the name Karen but then I am 46. :) I like that it's simple and unfussy. I'd put it with a softer sounding middle name: Karen Elise for example.

GW297 · 23/06/2013 22:55

Dated

morganster · 23/06/2013 22:44

I think it has a nice sound about it but does remind me of the seventies.

Lots of girls called Carys about near us. But no Karens. I think it will be different.

I chose a formerly well used name for my dd (mainly because it was the only one of my dh's favourites I could tolerate). But she's the only one in her year which is nice.

sleepingbeautiful · 23/06/2013 22:34

I like it.
Karen Jane/Jayne
Karen Elizabeth
Karen Leah
Karen Marianne

mynaughtylittlesister · 23/06/2013 22:33

Karen is my name - I have always been led to believe it means "pure".

I do not use it very often, most people call me Kate, but now thinking about it - it is rather nice!

Mummypatch · 23/06/2013 22:23

My name too. Danish for Catherine, which is my DM's name. Don't think it's vile debsr4.

Go for it OP! I hated it when other kids with my DD's "unusual" name started school. DS in yr 2 and still unique though.

tiddlerslate · 21/08/2011 21:50

I'm a Karin and I like it

Not middle aged or vile at all.

plinkplonk · 21/08/2011 21:26

Caroline is similar but prettier imo, and I do like Sarah. I also knew a Karin (pronounced Car-in).

VelvetSnow · 19/08/2011 15:47

It's my name, I like it.

Some people call me Kaz
DP calls me Kar or Ka - but I think he's just being lazy :)
I don't dot my i's with big circles, although my writing is quite big.
Oh and I'm 28 - I don't know anyone younger than me called Karen.

Karen - from the Greek word for Pure....or something along those lines.

sparkle12mar08 · 19/08/2011 15:47

Immediate, sigh.

sparkle12mar08 · 19/08/2011 15:47

My inndeiate thought was Karen Carpenter. It's just still a bit dated for me tbh, maybe in another 10-15 years perhaps, but for now - no.