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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?

OP posts:
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user1492757084 · 25/08/2023 04:44

Did your mother give you a special second name that meant a lot to her? Organise so your new boy sees a picture of his grandmother in his room.

user1492757084 · 25/08/2023 04:42

Karen for a boy is not handsome.
Can you use her initials or her surname?
Or a name that has the same meaning as Karen?
Do you like Aaron for a name that sounds like Karen?

K boys names ...
Kane, Karl, Knox, Kingsley, Kelly, Kent, Kevin, Kobe, Kurt, Kristoff, Kingston, Kiefer, Kincaid, Kirk, Knightley, Kipling, Kit, Klaus, Kiernan

Gloschick · 25/08/2023 00:01

Kerrin

Sorry for you loss.

Absolutelynotfor2019 · 25/08/2023 00:01

Kit

uncomfortablydumb53 · 24/08/2023 23:59

I'm sorry for your loss I don't see why you can't use Karen as his middle name
A name which sounds similar isn't a tribute imo

polkadotpixie · 24/08/2023 23:54

Kiernan?

Catclown · 24/08/2023 23:42

Could you use just the initial K? I am so sorry for your loss x

UsingChangeofName · 24/08/2023 23:36

I am so sorry for your loss @colourPink . Losing your Mum at any time is difficult, but losing her unexpectedly whilst you are pregnant as well seems particularly sad. Flowers

However, I don't think it makes any sense to use any of the names people are doing their best to think of for you, as none of them are the actual name, or a real specific equivalent (as Daniel / Danielle or Eric / Erica would be). Where there is no actual name, it seems a very big stretch to give "a name that rhymes" or "a name that starts with the same letter".
You will totally remember your Mum without your ds having a weakly linked name.
Take care of yourself.

changed1 · 24/08/2023 23:27

Karsen?

highgatemums · 24/08/2023 23:23

I once worked with a Carron (pronounced the same as Karen). Caron seems to be the male equivalent (from google search it's of Welsh origin meaning "love"). Also comes up as stemming from the Greek meaning "pure".

Very sorry for your loss.

supermamio · 24/08/2023 23:17

A friend was in a similar situation and named her son kaylen

RoRosmama · 24/08/2023 23:15

Wren or Kane ❤️

SirVixofVixHall · 24/08/2023 23:14

Caryl is a similar boy’s name, but perhaps too similar to Carol ?

MadNads · 24/08/2023 23:11

It hasn't done Karen Kachnikov any harm. Alternatively you could use Kyren or Kyran

Orders76 · 24/08/2023 23:08

Keren or Kieran

Mmhmmn · 24/08/2023 23:06

I think Karen is a lovely name.

What about Cameron? I know it's quite different but it has similar sounds.

Brokenfurnitureandroses · 24/08/2023 23:04

How nice to have a positive thread about the name “Karen”. I hope you find the perfect middle name for your little boy OP.

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?

ItstimeToMoveagain · 24/08/2023 22:44

Kiren

MrsAlexander · 24/08/2023 22:43

My name is Karen is I immediately thought of the meaning... pure.

Kasen is a boys name meaning pure ♥️

MarchionessOfMayhem · 24/08/2023 22:42

Kalen?

Cinnamonandcoal · 24/08/2023 22:40

Kieran is to my ear both the closest and the nicest name.
Or Corin if you don't like Kieran/Ciaran.

C8H10N4O2 · 24/08/2023 22:36

Karen is the scandi form of Catherine - nearest male equivalent is Cato from the same Greek root.

Mmhmmn · 24/08/2023 22:35

Callum?

Carl is nice

Friggingfrog · 24/08/2023 22:24

I like the Ren idea too.

I know of a boy called Kiran. That’s similar. Or you could do Keran. Or Kane