Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

We want our names as middle name for baby, but my name is awful.

214 replies

Mapricot · 22/05/2023 13:54

We finally agreed on a name for our future daughter. We let go of the parents/relatives names. And I am happy about it. His name's girl version is beautiful but mine is awful. I don't even tell people, I use my middle name.

I was thinking maybe we could use an alternative. Do you know any name that sounds like Karen ? I was thinking of Kerry. But I'd love to hear about more options.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Flufs · 23/05/2023 06:43

Cara

clara

carinna

BreatheAndFocus · 23/05/2023 06:40

Why are you tiring yourself in knots by setting this daft rule that the middle names have to be variations of yours and your partner’s names? Why?? Chuck that idea out and choose names you like.

I really can’t believe this…

OccasionalHope · 23/05/2023 06:38

Corinne or Karina

or use the mn you use as a name.

MyFaceIsAnAONB · 23/05/2023 06:35

I know a Maren - it's more of an 'ah' sound but spelled the same as Karen

SkiingIsHeaven · 23/05/2023 06:26

Sharon sounds like Karen

GrinAndVomit · 23/05/2023 06:21

GiveOverRover · 22/05/2023 14:18

Your husband INSISTS that you call your child your name, which you hate?

Making no sense. Pick another.

Pick another husband?
Yes, I agree with this.

Mummyoflittledragon · 23/05/2023 05:55

Noorandapples · 22/05/2023 14:44

"We want" no, he wants, you do not want. Be careful about not giving up your own sense of self in your relationship, he doesn't get to tell you how you feel.
Put your foot down and tell him exactly how you feel and that he can't tell you what names you like the sound of!

I hope you’re still reading. But this basically.

Either your middle name or perhaps choose your mum’s name or one of your grandmothers’

Esjolaol · 23/05/2023 05:51

This!!

atthebottomofthehill · 23/05/2023 05:40

What a weird thread!

"My husband is forcing me to give my baby a name I hate"

And yes really quite unusual nowadays to give a child your actual names at all - a middle name or family name is more common - let alone if you hate it.

You can't use something "similar" to Karen, what's the point in that? If it's not your name then it won't meet your husbands bonkers criteria, and yet it will always remind you of the name you hate anyway.

Using your actual name (your middle name) makes more sense if you really must use your names.

Don't allow your husband to bully you FGS.

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 23/05/2023 05:38

Keren?

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 23/05/2023 05:35

You husband cannot force you to use Karen. He isn't your boss, or head of the name police! Use your middle name if you like. You could look into changing your name not sure about the UK, but it is not very expensive where I live.

mum11970 · 23/05/2023 05:28

I know someone called Karen but it’s pronounced ‘Care un’. She’s well in her 50s and it’s always been pronounced that way, so not changed because of the insult attached to the name these days

olympicsrock · 23/05/2023 05:19

BishyBarnyBee · 23/05/2023 05:13

It's very hard to believe this could be a real issue in any sane family, but assuming you haven't made this up - JUST SAY NO. Nicely but firmly.

If you are struggling to agree a way forward on this non issue, god help you when you actually start to raise a child together.

This ! Bonkers … he doesn’t get to insist.

Sunshine275 · 23/05/2023 05:16

Karine or Karina

BishyBarnyBee · 23/05/2023 05:13

It's very hard to believe this could be a real issue in any sane family, but assuming you haven't made this up - JUST SAY NO. Nicely but firmly.

If you are struggling to agree a way forward on this non issue, god help you when you actually start to raise a child together.

ShandaLear · 23/05/2023 05:09

You could have Rena, though why not just pick a name you really like?

user1492757084 · 23/05/2023 04:29

Karen was derived from Katharine.
Katerina, Kate, etc are related names so there are many to choose from.

MysteryBelle · 23/05/2023 03:50

How about Karenna? Or the famous Karenina (Anna Karenina)?

Not related but I read an article the other day about Calista Flockhart and thought what a lovely name, Calista.

LostInTheColonies · 23/05/2023 03:28

Karen is the Scandi version of Katherine - and that gives you heaps to play with! Catriona, Katrin, Catherine, Katie, Caitlin... I'm saddled with the same so I do get it!

Or tell your DH to do one 😁

Judgyjudgy · 23/05/2023 03:28

I don't understand why you want your baby to have your names as middle names anyway. Usually people pick either a name they like or to name it after someone they loved. Maybe think about the intention of the middle name? I don't have one and I feel it's an advantage!

AssertiveGertrude · 23/05/2023 03:27

Insists - have we gone back to the 1950s ???

bussteward · 23/05/2023 03:20

Insist your husband fucks off, tbh.

TheBirdintheCave · 22/05/2023 22:37

Seapoint2002 · 22/05/2023 14:50

How about Ren? My friend shortens Karen to Ren.

:O Either we know each other or there are more of me out there! 😂😅

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 22/05/2023 16:44

Are you pregnant with a girl? The expression Future Daughter just seems like something you would say before being pregnant.

Suddenlysummer · 22/05/2023 16:38

Corinne?