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Baby names

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

Original poster

Alternative names to Karen

133 replies

StarsieZ · 18/09/2022 04:25

My mum recently passed away, I had never thought of using her name to name any future daughters but the question came up the other day from a friend and it's made me question it. Alas, my mums name was 'Karen' and I am not going to name my child that even as a middle name.

Does anyone have any ideas as to names that are similar/nickname etc that I might use? My mum didn't have a middle name either so that's out too, I did think of 'Wren' but that's as far as I've got.

Thanks for any advice/ideas 😊

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Lisbeth50 · 18/09/2022 08:52

I agree with a pp that Katherine Wren is nice.

Lisbeth50 · 18/09/2022 08:51

Karena/Karina/Carina
Kay
Keren
Carys
Caron

Goodoldvera · 18/09/2022 08:50

I like the Dutch pronunciation 'Kaaren' as pp said. Could use 'W'ren as a shortened version. I think it's a pretty sounding name but don't like the usual nn Kaz..you could start a new era. Sorry about your Mum 💐

acornfed · 18/09/2022 08:42

Kathryn is a beautiful old spelling of Katherine and would work too

ItWasPeculiarButBearable · 18/09/2022 08:39

Please don’t call her a differently spelt version of Karen. She’ll still get called Karen but everyone will spell her name wrong.

(Bitter experience talking!)

Katherine or Karina would be my shout if you want to go down the naming route.

So sorry for your loss 💐.

Ladybyrd · 18/09/2022 08:38

I think it's a lovely name. Pretty timeless. I wouldn't let the negative connotation put you off - that won't last.

However, you have to be happy with it. Plus you may change your mind when she is born.

We had names in mind for both of our kids. Ds I had a wobble when he was 6 months old and wanted to change it! Just felt like it didn't suit him, but he changed so much subsequently including a pretty dramatic change of eye colour, and now it feels perfect. Dd I was set on her name, but when she was born, I could see it just didn't fit. Chose a name that had barely been on our radar before.

itsgettingweird · 18/09/2022 08:37

Karenza

Corin
Caroline nn Carrie

Corinne
Katherine
Katie

Carrie-Anne (sounds like Karen)

Gloschick · 18/09/2022 08:37

You could have Kerrin for a boy.

TooMuchToDoTooLittleInclination · 18/09/2022 08:36

🎉congratulations on your pregnancy!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum 💐

think you should honour you Mum, by using a name you love!! ❤️

Having your own child when your mum has died can bring up all kinds of issues. Don't be hesitant to get help xx

flowerstar19 · 18/09/2022 08:35

Or your Mum's Mum's name? That would have been special to your Mum?

Ship · 18/09/2022 08:32

Karrie
carrie
carys
karina

grosgirl · 18/09/2022 08:31

I’m using it as middle name. Don’t think it will be viewed in the same light in 5-10 years time.

Peasplease12 · 18/09/2022 08:31

Did you mum have a favourite flower or artist or singer- something that would remind you of her that could make a nice middle name

DazedConfusedDone · 18/09/2022 08:30

Keren
Karenza

Greenfinch7 · 18/09/2022 08:29

I think in 20 years a Karen born today will have a lovely unusual name with no bad associations. Primary school kids won't be aware of the meaning of 'Karen' today.

Marshmallowmountain · 18/09/2022 08:28

I’d go for Keren

nachoavocado · 18/09/2022 08:26

Keren?

SpiderinaWingMirror · 18/09/2022 08:25

Kay but i have never met a Karen who wasn't lovely! I don't get the whole meme thing. Surely it's obviously a middle name in honour of a parent/grandparent? Like Brian or similar.

Vinylloving · 18/09/2022 08:21

Caroline, nn Caro?

MotherOfCrocodiles · 18/09/2022 08:20

Carinne?

Floydthebarber · 18/09/2022 08:20

I was going to say what LadyOfTheCanyon has. Had you considered naming your child after your mother before your friend mentioned it? Some names listed here are lovely but quite a stretch to link them with Karen. I can't imagine the emotions you are feeling right now but you should chose a name you love for your child, not one you think you should.

ByTheGrace · 18/09/2022 08:16

I'm a Karen and it's a really good call not to use it. The nastiness doesn't seem to be dying down either.

I've been trying to think what I could change it to. Katherine was the most used name when I was at school, so I know too many. Mine is actually pronounced care-en (but no one gets it right) so I was tempted to just change the spelling to Karyn. Also considered Keren, Karis, Karys, Karensa, Karenza, Kay, Karin - pronounced Co- (as in cough) rin, Karrie, Karena and Karina.

I will say my friend was called Susan, she's named after her Mum, but her Mum is actually called Susannah and thought it was old fashioned, so gave her daughter the more modern version. My friend hates Susan and officially changed it to Susannah - So I suspect you can't win 😅

Rockadile · 18/09/2022 08:16

Carys? Means 'to love' so sound apt

AntlerRose · 18/09/2022 08:16

I can see how a name inspired by her name might work

I also wonder if your mum had a favourite writer, singer or flower or place that you really strongly associate with them that could work instead.

Reluctantadult · 18/09/2022 08:16

I think you should use it as a middle name. I think the connotations will be over with in a few years, certainly by the time your baby is at school. My mum is named Karen too. I'm really sorry for your loss.

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