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Baby names

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

Original poster

Variation of Karen for a boy

269 replies

colourPink · 24/08/2023 20:17

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and my mum died unexpectedly 4 weeks ago. Her name was Karen and me and husband would LOVE to honour her as our babies middle name but he's a boy.

Does anyone have any ideas how we can make a more masculine version of Karen?

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GettingOldWithoutStyle · 26/08/2023 19:57

Aren, Ren or Kieran from me. Terribly sorry for your loss OP

Lotus3 · 26/08/2023 19:54

How about Karan?

KateADM · 26/08/2023 19:51

Cameron

abs12 · 26/08/2023 19:47

CheshireCat1 · 24/08/2023 20:24

Karen comes from Katherine, so the male version is Kit.

Boom. This is awesome 👌

SoShallINever · 26/08/2023 19:43

Kaden

smileyI · 26/08/2023 19:42

For a middle name I would keep it as it is if you want to use it. It’s a nice tribute

Walesagogo · 26/08/2023 19:41

Did she ever get called Kaz? Maybe you could have this as a middle name?

themummylife · 26/08/2023 19:40

I’m so sorry for your loss❤️

Karen means pure, so maybe see if there are any boys names meaning pure that you like?.

ShippingForecastMeditator · 26/08/2023 19:38

Apologies if this has been suggested already (I haven't RTFT) but how about Wren?

Sorry for your loss OP. Wishing you all the best for the future with your little one x

Loopylooo22 · 26/08/2023 19:38

Kaz
Narik
Kan (or Kane)
Kai
Ren

LuluBlakey1 · 26/08/2023 19:38

All of the girls in our family have my grandma's maiden name as a middle name.

Missycoops · 26/08/2023 19:32

Kian is lovely

jlpth · 26/08/2023 19:30

Arron

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 26/08/2023 19:29

Convoluted even !

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 26/08/2023 19:28

SpottyBrolly · 26/08/2023 19:18

What about Gower, Kethan or Davante they are all boys names that mean pure the same as Karen.

They're quite convulted .

If he says (as all children do) why did you call me Kieran ?
Then your Gran who sadly never met you was Karen so it's after her

But your Gran Karen , means "pure" and that's what x/y/z means .....way overcomplicated .

tolerable · 26/08/2023 19:24

I'm so sorry for your loss,Thats a lovely tribute to your mum. I would seriously consider just using her name(Karen)as is. (Unless she was regularly called Kaz i guess,in which case -maybe that) Dunno if cos am scottish/dialect can contribute to pronounciation ...so Karen comes out as Karn. (say it larne )which may appear a more masculine version praps?

SpottyBrolly · 26/08/2023 19:18

What about Gower, Kethan or Davante they are all boys names that mean pure the same as Karen.

DrNo007 · 26/08/2023 19:16

Karsten.

Mirabai · 26/08/2023 19:15

Did your mum like her name? My mum didn’t. Do you know what her favourite name was?

Cinateel · 26/08/2023 19:14

Karen means "pure". Boys names meaning pure include Xavier Finn and Gavin.

Playingintheshadow · 26/08/2023 19:13

KirstenBlest · 26/08/2023 18:34

@Playingintheshadow , I remember him being alive. My father said someone good-looking was good-looking at any age, and mentioned Cary Grant and Paul Newman as examples. I'll add Brad Pitt to the list.

Don't forget George Clooney!

I'd probably add Martin Kemp too, personally!

Threeboysadogandacat · 26/08/2023 19:13

Nerak? Karen backwards and has a nice sound to it. I would just go with Karen as it is. Start a trend.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 26/08/2023 19:10

Neverseenbefore · 25/08/2023 09:02

It’s a middle name. No one will care. Small children won’t know if a name is traditionally male or female in the UK. I know a male Andrea. Completely normal male name.

Show quote history

They do .

Why would you give your child a name which will attract attention like that ?
I hated every time I had to explain "it's a surrname not a boys name" (same sound very slight different spelling .
I did not feel glowing moments I can tell you !
I was bullied and pissed taken constantly !

LlynTegid · 26/08/2023 19:07

I'm with Kieran, wonder if her maiden name or her mum's maiden name could be a middle name.

Sorry to read of your mother's death, may she rest in peace.

Rosscameasdoody · 26/08/2023 19:07

The only one I can think of is Kieran. So very sorry for your loss.