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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.

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SaveMeFromMyBoobs · 22/05/2023 16:10

Cara/Kara
Caroline
Carter
Raine
Ren

Can get names sounding like half the name. Tbh, use your middle name if you like it more. Why you'd give a child something you hate is beyond me. If your DH is going to be a child saying it must be your first name you can always do a quick deedpoll and hand it to him with your middle fingers up 😂.

UsingChangeofName · 22/05/2023 16:09

GladysHeeler · 22/05/2023 14:03

You 'want your names for middle names for your daughter'? But you don't want that. Your husband is 'insisting'.

Insisting that you call your own baby a name you hate. Regardless of it being your own name, can't you see how ridiculous that is?

The whole thing is daft. As is choosing a name that isn't your name at all but picking it because it's like your name but it's not your name. Confused

Completely agree with Gladys here.

I can't understand why you would saddle your child with a name you hate Confused

CabernetSauvignon · 22/05/2023 16:06

If the idea is to relate the names directly to your and your husband, it makes infinitely more sense to use the name that you actually go by. Otherwise it's going to look as if she hasn't been named after you at all.

Srin · 22/05/2023 15:43

Can’t you just use his middle name? It will still be your child.

BouncerFish · 22/05/2023 15:39

How about Wren?

LadyEloise1 · 22/05/2023 15:37

I far prefer Karen to Kerry.
What about Caron ?
Could you use your surname as a middle name ?

Lovetosquanderpromise · 22/05/2023 15:34

I agree you are making arbitrary rules when you don’t have to!

But in answer to your actual question:

Kerenza was my first thought.

BeautifulWar · 22/05/2023 15:33

Keren?

EmpressMoo · 22/05/2023 15:27

Corrine?

CatchYouOnTheFlippetyFlop · 22/05/2023 15:23

Hmm - something that sounds like, but isn't Karen.

Daren, Faren, Garen, Haren, Jaren, Laren??

mathanxiety · 22/05/2023 15:22

Other than that, Karen is a Germanic diminutive of Katherine.

You could also spell it Karin.

mathanxiety · 22/05/2023 15:15

If the baby will have his surname, how about using your surname as one of the middle names?

i.e. Penelope Erica Featherstonehaugh Cholmondeley. No hyphen, your name not used as a surname.

GlitteryFarts · 22/05/2023 15:10

Karelle?

ItsmynameKaren · 22/05/2023 15:09

I don’t get the hate for the name tbh. I wanted to change it as a teen but I never give it a second thought these days.
I think I’d be more concerned that DH was being so insistent about something I’d said I wasn’t happy about!

LakeTiticaca · 22/05/2023 15:08

Carrie, karina, Kiri

SallyWD · 22/05/2023 15:04

If you don't like your name why give it as a middle name? I don't know any other parents who've given their names to a child. Usually people give a middle name they like or the name of a relative. I gave my daughter my mum's name as a middle name as a tribute. I don't know - it would have felt a bit weird to pay tribute to myself!

MimiSunshine · 22/05/2023 15:00

Just don’t use your name and either his name only or your middle name.
he doesn’t get to insist.

but then I think it’s a) weird and b) totally self obsessed to use your own name for your child so I wouldn’t use either

CoffeeYes · 22/05/2023 14:58

@Mapricot If you don’t want to use your actual name as your child’s middle name then there’s no point in choosing something that sounds similar. Same goes for the feminine version of your DH’s name - that’s not his name. I think you should scrap this idea and choose a completely unrelated name. Something completely new.

Custardonthehob · 22/05/2023 14:55

Votes for: Catrin and Carrie

EmpressMoo · 22/05/2023 14:53

Keren - it means ray of light in Hebrew.

Karen is a form of Katherine. You could use one of the many other forms of the name instead. Caitlin, Catriona, Carina, Catalina, Kay, Kerry...

Carina is probably the closest that is pretty.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine

Katherine - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine

Seapoint2002 · 22/05/2023 14:50

How about Ren? My friend shortens Karen to Ren.

Aquamarine1029 · 22/05/2023 14:50

Your husband can't "insist" on anything. Naming a baby is a mutual decision and if you don't agree, it can't happen.

RhosynBach · 22/05/2023 14:49

Karrie is what I would choose. Although it doesn’t seem like you have much say in your own baby’s name.

Cc1998 · 22/05/2023 14:47

GladysHeeler · 22/05/2023 14:03

You 'want your names for middle names for your daughter'? But you don't want that. Your husband is 'insisting'.

Insisting that you call your own baby a name you hate. Regardless of it being your own name, can't you see how ridiculous that is?

The whole thing is daft. As is choosing a name that isn't your name at all but picking it because it's like your name but it's not your name. Confused

This. All very odd.

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!

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