Variations on Karen

[Elambert83]

I have today found out I am expecting another girl. I already have 'Freya Evangeline'

My mum whose name was Karen died last year unexpectedly aged 57 and although I don't like the name Karen, I was wondering what variation I could possibly use as a middle name or even first name if its nice enough.

Thanks

Kerensa/Carenza?

PS I’m sorry for your loss

It’s derived from Catherine apparently so that could be an option. Or Cara maybe.

Having said that I am never sure about giving a “similar” name to honour a family member. I sort of think it needs to be the same name really. Did your mum have a middle name? Or maybe a nice surname or maiden name you could use as a middle name? My girls have my mum’s surname as a middle name (as do I).

Karin
Carina/Karena
Katherine

If you are honouring someone, then you should use their name, not a variation.

I think Karen is a nice name.

Sorry about your loss .

How about Katherine/Kate (according to Wikipedia Katherine is danish for Karen) or in Welsh it would be Caren which is a bit softer?

I'd personally just use Karen
What's the point in it otherwise

I used to know a Corinne, which is similar and a bit unusual?

What was your mum's maiden name? Favourite flower? Birth stone? Birth flower? Her middle name?

I don't think there's much point in using a name you're "meh" about because of a tenuous link to your mum's name. I can see why you're avoiding Karen itself, completely understandable.

If you think outside the box a bit you might chance on something you actually really like but still has a connection.

I'm really sorry for the loss of your mum, far too young

Karenza or Karensa is a Cornish name it isn't a version of Karen but has the meaning Love in Cornish.

Karina?

Like others I'd suggest Karina.

Or did she have a middle name you could use, if you don't want to use Karen?

Sorry for your loss

Karrie ??

Keren

If you don't like the name, is there something that your mum loved you could use instead? Flower, place etc??

I wouldn't use a variation. I can see why you'd want to steer clear of the name Karen at the moment, which is actually really sad.

I'd do as a pp said and use another name with meaning to your mum.

My mum died unexpectedly, precisely one year before my dc1 was born! Same date and everything. She was also in her fifties. We used her name as a middle name. Quite a traumatic time all round

Kara/Cara - which means beloved.
Karina/Carina
Corinne/Corina

I like some suggestions above: Karrie and Keren.

Katri
Katrina

Catriona

Karen would be nice as a middle name on its own, or have two middle names? Or did you Mum have a middle name?

Carine/Carina (or with a "K")

How lovely to give your child your mum's name. Condolences

Was your mum nicknamed Kaz? You could call her Kazia

I wouldn't use a name you wouldn't like. We used my mum's favourite flower to honour her as she didn't even particularly like her name herself!

Thank you all for the suggestions, far more than I could think of.

The name Karen suddenly has a lot of bad vibes in the press, not sure of the origin.

I think Karensa meaning love was a nice suggestion, thanks. Also liking Katherine and Keren thank you.

Much appreciated x

I know a Kerrin. I quite like it.

Carenza is a lovely name. It pays homage to your mum whilst not being Karen. Although I think the Karen meme will wear off shortly, by the time your dd is in her teens it won't be a thing. So I would probably have Karen as a middle name.

I went to school with a girl called Karen but it was pronounced Car- un. Her mum was Swedish so think that was her mums pronunciation. Is that a possibility?