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Baby names

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

Original poster

I hate to ask this, but......

67 replies

derah · 22/02/2008 20:53

... is Karen a "chavvy" name? Please don't flame me for saying using the c-word either, I don't know how else to put the question!!!

We're not from the UK so it's hard for us to know if names are associated more with people from one class or another.

We want to call our daughter Karen (or Kerryn) as it's a popular Israeli name (DH is Israeli) but want a name that works in the UK too. My mum says it's a "hairdresser" name (please, no insult meant there either!!!) and along the lines of Chardonnay and Sharon!

I've known quite a few Karens in my time, from various classes/cultures, and all of them lovely people. But I don't want to give my child a name that she'll find embarassing!

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Megglevache · 22/02/2008 21:12

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Wilkie · 22/02/2008 21:11

Lovely name

peanutbear · 22/02/2008 21:11

I like Kerryn it looks prettier on the page

StringyBogies · 22/02/2008 21:11

i know someone called karen but pronounced care-on. is that the same as kerryn?

Original poster
derah · 22/02/2008 21:08

Wow, glad to hear my mum is confused (though I suspected it all long !)

She also said that our choice in case baby turns out to be a boy, Ethan, is "too Jewish". Um, yeah, it was only number 15 last year - hard to turn around without bumping into an Ethan these days!

Mums, huh?

So, next question is whether we stick to the traditional Karen or go with Kerryn (which is closer to how it's pronounced in Hebrew)?

Thanks for all the quick responses!

OP posts:
stanleysmother · 22/02/2008 21:07

It's like calling a baby Jane, Anne, Susan or Nicola. Nothing wrong with it, just sounds a bit anachronistic in the UK. Of course George, Jack and Freddie must have sounded weird 15 years ago! If you like it...go for it

southeastastra · 22/02/2008 20:59

it's a name that is forgotten now, but nice

hanaflower · 22/02/2008 20:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

purpleturtle · 22/02/2008 20:56

Wow - that would have been the first response when I started typing!

cornsilk · 22/02/2008 20:56

It's nice. I know a few Karens my own age. You might start a new trend!

expatinscotland · 22/02/2008 20:55

That's a cool name.

The only Karen I know well is a nurse.

purpleturtle · 22/02/2008 20:55

I don't think I know a Karen under the age of 25. I can't see any reason why she should be embarassed by it - she'll probably be the only one in her class at school, which is no bad thing.

pedilia · 22/02/2008 20:55

no definetly not chavvy!

chankins · 22/02/2008 20:54

I don't think its chavvy - just a bit old fashioned, as in I went to school wth a few karens, but have not come across any since. But its a nice name so why not ? Certainly not chavvy.

princessosyth · 22/02/2008 20:54

No but it is an 'old' name, lots of Karens my age (35).

StringyBogies · 22/02/2008 20:54

no, it's a completely normal name!

StealthPolarBear · 22/02/2008 20:54

No, definitely not