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

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?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
ConcernedCatmother · 26/08/2023 14:36

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?

What about Aren?

AmazingSnakeHead · 26/08/2023 14:36

Not exactly the same, but sounds similar: Cillian (which is also my absolute favourite name, so I'm biased!).

I also think Kit is cute and a good alternative, or Kiran.

DottyLottieLou · 26/08/2023 14:28

Maiden name?
Caren
Garen
In some countries Karen is a male name, also the above derivatives.
It is common to use the maiden name though.

PassTheGinHere · 26/08/2023 14:23

My son's best friend is called Kaden.
Only one letter different!

BabyTa · 26/08/2023 14:19

Karin

Ariela · 26/08/2023 14:12

Our friend's farrier is called Karn, which is 1 letter short, completely different meaning, but could perhaps work? .

sweetdreamstenasee · 26/08/2023 14:10

Carmen / Karmen

Mustardseed86 · 26/08/2023 14:05

Cary maybe?

Elly46 · 26/08/2023 13:57

Kaden is nice for a boy, just one letter difference.
I am very sorry for your loss.

Kelljo83 · 26/08/2023 13:57

I actually work with a man called Karen. He's from New Zealand where the name is unisex. I'd be inclined to do Karin though

Keeks08 · 26/08/2023 13:41

Could you use her surname if it sounds more masculine? Married or maiden? Sure she would love the sentiment x

FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman · 26/08/2023 13:40

I love Corin / Korin/ Koren

Manthide · 26/08/2023 13:38

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?

My name is Karen and I'm not sure I'd saddle a child with it nowadays even as a middle name. I think Wren or Ren or even Karan would still give a nod towards your mum. I'm sorry for your loss.

Ghosttofu99 · 26/08/2023 13:37

CheshireCat1 · 24/08/2023 20:24

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

Kit is absolutely adorable. Love it!

And sorry for your loss, that must be incredibly hard especially at this time.

NameChange30 · 26/08/2023 13:33

Also, if you would be willing to share her middle and maiden names, perhaps people might have suggestions for a boy's name that contains her initials or bits of one or more of the names.

NameChange30 · 26/08/2023 13:32

Sorry for your loss Flowers

Is there another way you could honour your mother without using her actual name? For example, if her place of birth works as a name? Something linked to her birth month? (August is the only month that could work as a boy's name, though!) Is there anything else that you strongly associate with your mum, anything that was particularly meaningful to her?

UrsulaBelle · 26/08/2023 13:31

Maybe Kay as in the knight from Arthurian legend?

MissSingerbrains · 26/08/2023 13:16

Renny

KirstenBlest · 25/08/2023 11:43

Kenar

Smineusername · 25/08/2023 09:52

Karin?

HelpMeGetThrough · 25/08/2023 09:20

We have a Karan at work.

Neverseenbefore · 25/08/2023 09:02

allthehops · 25/08/2023 08:11

Seriously? Can you imagine the ribbing a little boy would get if he was called Karen?

Show quote history

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.

LadyEloise1 · 25/08/2023 08:39

@Samzzz So sorry for your loss at such a special time.
Karan as some suggested, is great imho.

Samzzz · 25/08/2023 08:35

So sorry for your loss ❤️I don’t think there is one but have you considered maybe using her maiden name as a middle or maybe her middle name if it’s not too feminine? Or a place name that’s special to you or a month of the year?xx

allthehops · 25/08/2023 08:11

Neverseenbefore · 24/08/2023 20:26

Karen already is a male name in some countries -quite a common one as well. Armenia, for example, and Iran. I think you could use it as it is.

Seriously? Can you imagine the ribbing a little boy would get if he was called Karen?