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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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bruffin · 26/08/2023 19:06

CheshireCat1 · 24/08/2023 20:24

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

Kit is a diminutive of Christopher

WhoseBootsAreThoseShoes · 26/08/2023 19:02

We have a Faren in work, he’s late teens.

truthhurts23 · 26/08/2023 19:01

Kane

Kyron

Kieran

Kyran

Kayden/Kaiden

Kamran/Cameron

Kaylen

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 26/08/2023 19:01

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 24/08/2023 22:54

My daughter has my fathers name as her middle name, regardless of it being a masculine name.
Could you use Karen/Karan as a middle name?

I have a masculine middle name (not my Dad's name but a relative on Mums side , again Scottish tradition) Hated it all my life and do not have it now on any documents except my BC , I'm stuck with that ,

Giving your biy a tradition female name , even if you say it's spelled a bit different , or Indian/Dutch/Arabic etc.
Not something I would do but each to their own.

Kieran is lovely .

JennyJenny8675309 · 26/08/2023 18:59

I taught a sweet little boy named Kieran. Lovely boy and name.

TreesandRug · 26/08/2023 18:59

Did you discuss baby names with your mum? Using one of her suggestions would be a nice way to honour her. It would be like she named the baby.

Cherrysherbet · 26/08/2023 18:58

What about just ‘K’. You will all know what it stands for. I think it’s quite poignant.

Im so sorry for your loss 💐

Maia77 · 26/08/2023 18:56

Karel

BrokenMantra · 26/08/2023 18:47

I like the Karenin suggestion- particularly if your Mum liked books. Sorry for you loss x

Efacsen · 26/08/2023 18:45

Kier

Kerrim

ExpressCheckout · 26/08/2023 18:44

Karim's nice, as is Cain. I also like the Welsh and Scottish suggestions further up the thread.

KirstenBlest · 26/08/2023 18:40

Kearn, Kearney

MaydinEssex · 26/08/2023 18:39

Karden
Karcen
Karlen
Korben

MrsMarzetti · 26/08/2023 18:39

So sorry for your lossFlowers Maybe Cairn or kendrick both Scottish names

Lelivre · 26/08/2023 18:37

Kenan

AInightingale · 26/08/2023 18:37

Kieran sounds about the best suggestion. Or Ciaran?

Changethetoner · 26/08/2023 18:34

You could keep the name for a potential future daughter. It will still be honouring your mum, though not straight away. And yes potentially you might never have a daughter. But rather than altering her name to use for your son now, you might be able to use it as it is, only in a few years time.

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.

Barbie46 · 26/08/2023 18:33

I know someone with a little boy called Kacen and I think that's lovely. Sorry for your loss x

SparklyShoesandTutus · 26/08/2023 18:32

Karen means 'pure' have you looked at boys names with the same meaning? Kasan orginates from Greek for pure and Kari is Scandinavian.

Playingintheshadow · 26/08/2023 18:29

Keane?

Playingintheshadow · 26/08/2023 18:28

KirstenBlest · 26/08/2023 18:27

Who is/was Carey Grant?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who was Cary Grant?!!

Fuck me. I'm old!

Playingintheshadow · 26/08/2023 18:27

I'm so sorry you lost your mum at an already emotional time in your life.

Aaron or Kieran probably sounds the closest to Karen. I was thinking Karl. Guess it depends on the first name you've chosen and how they go with your surname; also check initials!

Very best wishes for the safe and healthy birth of your little boy x

KirstenBlest · 26/08/2023 18:27

Who is/was Carey Grant?

BreatheAndFocus · 26/08/2023 18:26

Karon with the emphasis on the second syllable.
Karey as in Carey Grant but spelt with a K to make it very close to your mum’s name.
Karn - omit the E and have a more masculine sounding name (a carn=pile of rocks)
Kai pronounced Kay
Korin
Kearn - an anagram of Karen and suitably masculine

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