What do you think of Karen?

[vividgingerchilli]

I am thinking of using this name for as yet unborn DD, any thoughts? And any suggestions for an unusual but not weird middle name to go with it please?
Thanks

Lovely, underused classic name.

Makes a refreshing change from all the Evie/Eva/Ellie/Ellas you meet these days. Great choice imo.

I actually think it is a pretty name, however it does have connotations. It is one of those names which makes you assume that the person writes with big circles above their i's instead of dots.

I have an equally grim 80s name (Kirsty).

I don't think it is due a revival just yet. Nicola, Louise, Lindsay, Tracey, Julie, Linda meh

Yep - I do tend to put it in with the Julie, Debbie, Nicky, Mandy, Jackie, Tracey, Michelle sort of era.

Maybe I need a few more years!

My BF at school was a Karen Lesley, we were born in 62 and there were a lot of Karens at our school. I think she was named after Leslie Caron the actress.

I think it needs a bit longer before it has the retro-cool factor which gives a revivial. I think it will have a revival, but probably in time for your daughters daughter, rather than your baby herself.

Tis my mother's name so feels a bit dated to me but as a name it's ok. Her middle name is Mar1e which isn't unusual but still is quite pretty with it.

I'm in my forties and know lots of Karens. Its a pretty name and would be unusual for a baby today, which would make it special. Easy to say and spell for all ages.

Its my name too, middle name Janet which i hate!

I love Karen....lovely name...

Can see that others may think a little old fashioned but then so are most names these days.

Thinking all my Great Aunties called Lucy/Elizabeth/Dorothy/Alice/Emily.

My Grannies were Isabel/Dorothy.
G Grannies were Violet/Catherine/Annie and Olive.

Janet is ok too...maybe a bit boring

Janet and John books from my childhood!

My old fashioned 'hates' are Agnes and Gertrude and Prudence and Esme and Brenda.

Karen louisa is lovely and Karen is very pretty and so unusual these days.

I think it's a great name! Unusual but not weird and I doubt you'd ever have to spell it. What a refreshing change from all the maddies/evies/avas etc.

It is a 1970's name but I think it has an x-factor that sets it apart from Tracey, Michelle, Sharon et al.

I knew a Karin whose parents were German. She pronounced it KAHR-een. Click on the German pronunciation

I always thought Karen was a bit Scandinavian.

No, too my generation. Don't mind it if pronounced how Ray Liotta did in Goodfellas. But it won't be will it (assuming you're not in New Jersey or wherever)

I knew a Scottish one pronounced KARE EN. That's just tedious.

I like it. Yes, lots of 40 year olds are called Karen, but they were all babies once too . At least she won't have to share her name with lots of others in her class. Nice choice imo.

It is Scandinavian and German.

My friend is Karen and 50. My yoga instructor is Karen/Karina and she is 52.

I like it, of my generation.

Couldn't use it as there is one in my extended "family" of Honorary Aunties etc. but otherwise might.

I like it but all the Karens I know (about 5 of them) do get called Kaz

ps not got a problem with naming after people, just want to do that for the generatin before, so Lily, Molly, Dora, Frank or Lewis.

I've never been called kaz.

Karen Yvonne.

I'ver never been called Kaz.

Kaz/s is not nice

I still like Karen.

I suppose we all hope our children's names won't turn out to be the Brendas/Mabels/Agnes's/Prudences/Gertrudes of the future.