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Original poster

How long is Karen going to be unusable for

37 replies

bouquetofwine · 29/09/2024 15:04

I love the name Karen and hate the stupid Karen memes. Are people really that shallow that they can't see past the name? We're not pregnant yet, but we will be getting married next year and plan to start trying then. I really like names like Karen, Helen, Kay, Carrie, Katherine, Diana and Laura. I probably won't use Karen, but it's a shame that some people have given it a bad reputation.

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RogueFemale · 22/04/2025 00:12

Another solid 70s name is Heather.

TrelawnyBastian · 21/04/2025 01:36

What about Karina?

username462025 · 21/04/2025 01:01

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Intranslation · 20/04/2025 23:11

evensonginautumn · 29/09/2024 15:26

You can use whatever name you like (obviously) but if you think that names like Winnie, Elsie, Margot, are really accelerating in popularity now and they are the names of at least a hundred and ten years ago ;my grandmother was a Winnie) it could be a good while!

You might have a great great granddaughter with the name.

My auntie's middle name was Winnifred and she hated it. Named after a relative, I think.

In the mid 90s my friend and I thought it was hilarious that her BIL was called Felix. We thought it was a highly embarrassing choice of name. Less than 10 years later it wasn't odd at all.

hangingonfordearlife1 · 20/04/2025 23:05

no it’s in the same league as sharon or tracey 70s names are not due to come back yet

TheMovieFlopped · 20/04/2025 22:38

Kirin is a nice alternative.

Karen is just Kaz. It’s chavvy!

TeamPolin · 06/10/2024 13:15

I think Carrie is far nicer than Karen, OP. I'd go with that.

MelodyMalone · 04/10/2024 09:55

PadstowGirl · 04/10/2024 09:44

God, not Caroline, my poor sister has had "sweet Caroline" sang at her pretty much every day by someone. She works in retail and they read her name badge.

Same with Jude....nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. 😫

My daughter too but it doesn't bother her 😄

PadstowGirl · 04/10/2024 09:44

God, not Caroline, my poor sister has had "sweet Caroline" sang at her pretty much every day by someone. She works in retail and they read her name badge.

Same with Jude....nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. 😫

JazbayGrapes · 01/10/2024 16:55

If i was called Karen, i'd feel like i need to live up to those memes 😆

Bussesrus · 30/09/2024 12:30

Karin? Has a slightly different sound and might just be different enough. It will take a generation or two for the Karen issue to go away.

MelodyMalone · 30/09/2024 12:23

Hari6 · 30/09/2024 11:10

It's my mother's name so we used it as a middle name for my daughter. She was so touched but then said, "Are you sure with all it now represents? I hate my name now."

As well as honouring my lovely mum, I saw it as a small 🖕 to the misogyny and ageism of the term.

So sad that people come to hate their names because of all that misogynistic nonsense.

TheCultureHusks · 30/09/2024 12:18

Awful isn’t it? It’s a lovely name, but I wouldn’t use it at the moment. One thing - please PLEASE don’t use it with a different spelling - Caron etc just sound so naff, not the same vibe at all!

I agree with PP that Caroline is a fab alternative, Caro for short is lovely and has something of the Agatha Christie stylish tweed skirt about it. Also like Kerensa/Carenza.

Czarina is also great if you fancy going a bit more crazy!

MelodyMalone · 30/09/2024 12:14

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 30/09/2024 00:26

Im guessing that stupid meme will hang around for another 5/10 years or so until it either becomes considered too dated or so offensive that the younger generations will be too embarrassed to say it. But unfortunately everyone will still remember for quite a few years longer.

Stick with classic (if less popular now) Katherine and use the diminutive Karen if you must -that way she can always change it if it bothers her.

Kerensa is also a pretty option too (although people might assume some Cornish links) - and pp’s suggestion of Caroline is a great shout. Caroline is out of favour currently except in the over 40’s just like your other picks, but still sounds very classic rather than dated imo. Plus Caro is a very cool nn, although there’s lots of choice (including both Carrie and Caron).

It was me that said Caroline - it's my DD's name, and I agree, classic without being dated, yet currently rarely used (not even in the most recent top 1000 names!).

She's 17 now and loves her name.

Hari6 · 30/09/2024 11:10

It's my mother's name so we used it as a middle name for my daughter. She was so touched but then said, "Are you sure with all it now represents? I hate my name now."

As well as honouring my lovely mum, I saw it as a small 🖕 to the misogyny and ageism of the term.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 30/09/2024 00:26

Im guessing that stupid meme will hang around for another 5/10 years or so until it either becomes considered too dated or so offensive that the younger generations will be too embarrassed to say it. But unfortunately everyone will still remember for quite a few years longer.

Stick with classic (if less popular now) Katherine and use the diminutive Karen if you must -that way she can always change it if it bothers her.

Kerensa is also a pretty option too (although people might assume some Cornish links) - and pp’s suggestion of Caroline is a great shout. Caroline is out of favour currently except in the over 40’s just like your other picks, but still sounds very classic rather than dated imo. Plus Caro is a very cool nn, although there’s lots of choice (including both Carrie and Caron).

redhatpurplehair · 29/09/2024 22:12

How about Kerin? From the bible I recall.

StressedQueen · 29/09/2024 21:39

Forever

SunshineAndFizz · 29/09/2024 16:06

Mate, one to forget about I'm afraid. It'll be a generational thing now.

ItsmynameKaren · 29/09/2024 15:41

karen in her 50s and she now dislikes telling people her name because of it.

I don’t give it a second thought tbh, I’m also 50’s. It really doesn’t cross my mind to think of the memes from one day to the next. Although I hated my name as a teen, I don’t have any feelings either way about it now.

BodyKeepingScore · 29/09/2024 15:41

I hate the name, but not because of the connotations. Just because I think it's like the female version of "Gary" or "Nigel"... dated and not really suitable for a child in this day and age.

Some classic names age well. Karen isn't one of them.

evensonginautumn · 29/09/2024 15:39

MelodyMalone · 29/09/2024 15:39

How about Caroline? Biased as it's my DD's name 😄

I love that name, and Callie.

MelodyMalone · 29/09/2024 15:39

How about Caroline? Biased as it's my DD's name 😄

hillroad · 29/09/2024 15:38

MelodyMalone · 29/09/2024 15:36

People haven't stopped using the name Henry, though.

I actually really like the name Karen and hate how it's now got these connotations attached to it. I think it will die down, but it's hard to be sure, unfortunately.

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been around for many many many many years longer than Karen

PollywithaP · 29/09/2024 15:38

Kerensa/Carenza?
I worked with a Caryn (female) once who shortened it to Carrie.

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