Alternative names to Karen

[StarsieZ]

My mum recently passed away, I had never thought of using her name to name any future daughters but the question came up the other day from a friend and it's made me question it. Alas, my mums name was 'Karen' and I am not going to name my child that even as a middle name.

Does anyone have any ideas as to names that are similar/nickname etc that I might use? My mum didn't have a middle name either so that's out too, I did think of 'Wren' but that's as far as I've got.

Thanks for any advice/ideas 😊

Caren
Carys
Karina
Kay

Lots of lovely alternatives on here but you may also consider the name of some one your Mum really admired, that had a strong connection to her that will make you think of her. Say if your mum loved ballet you could use the name of her favourite dancer.

We thought about using my late MIL name but she hated it so we wouldn't be honouring her by using it. She studied and loved Classics so we took inspiration from there in her memory.

Sorry for your loss.
FWIW I think you should use Karen as a middle name.
Fuck the sexist ageist bastards who use it as an insult.

Sorry for your loss. Katherine is lovely, congratulations on your pregnancy

I'm sorry for your loss. Do remember that you are under no obligation to honour your mum in this way. You honour her memory in your heart and thoughts and memories and conversations with other people every single day. It's not necessary to give your daughter a name that you feel like you might have to shoehorn in.

Choose a name you genuinely love for your daughter and teach her as she grows what a wonderful woman your mother was.

Oh gosh I really feel your grief. My mum also passed away in her early 60s, just 4 weeks after a shock cancer diagnosis. My first daughter was only a few months old at the time and I have recently had my second daughter. It’s really tough.

I would have liked to have honoured her in some way but she too had a name that’s not used anymore (in fact it’s so outdated I think it recently became extinct). She HATED her name and it really didn’t suit her - she would have been appalled if I’d have used any part of it to name my child! Instead I used a name I knew she loved as my daughter’s middle name.

Are there any names that your mum liked or a favourite flower or colour or something you could use a tribute?

Love this.

If you like Katherine as a name could look at Kathryn as an alternative spelling to it . I like Wren personally

I think you should use it as a middle name. I think the connotations will be over with in a few years, certainly by the time your baby is at school. My mum is named Karen too. I'm really sorry for your loss.

I can see how a name inspired by her name might work

I also wonder if your mum had a favourite writer, singer or flower or place that you really strongly associate with them that could work instead.

Carys? Means 'to love' so sound apt

I'm a Karen and it's a really good call not to use it. The nastiness doesn't seem to be dying down either.

I've been trying to think what I could change it to. Katherine was the most used name when I was at school, so I know too many. Mine is actually pronounced care-en (but no one gets it right) so I was tempted to just change the spelling to Karyn. Also considered Keren, Karis, Karys, Karensa, Karenza, Kay, Karin - pronounced Co- (as in cough) rin, Karrie, Karena and Karina.

I will say my friend was called Susan, she's named after her Mum, but her Mum is actually called Susannah and thought it was old fashioned, so gave her daughter the more modern version. My friend hates Susan and officially changed it to Susannah - So I suspect you can't win 😅

I was going to say what LadyOfTheCanyon has. Had you considered naming your child after your mother before your friend mentioned it? Some names listed here are lovely but quite a stretch to link them with Karen. I can't imagine the emotions you are feeling right now but you should chose a name you love for your child, not one you think you should.

Carinne?

Caroline, nn Caro?

Kay but i have never met a Karen who wasn't lovely! I don't get the whole meme thing. Surely it's obviously a middle name in honour of a parent/grandparent? Like Brian or similar.

Keren?

I’d go for Keren

I think in 20 years a Karen born today will have a lovely unusual name with no bad associations. Primary school kids won't be aware of the meaning of 'Karen' today.

Keren
Karenza

Did you mum have a favourite flower or artist or singer- something that would remind you of her that could make a nice middle name

I’m using it as middle name. Don’t think it will be viewed in the same light in 5-10 years time.

Karrie
carrie
carys
karina

Or your Mum's Mum's name? That would have been special to your Mum?

🎉congratulations on your pregnancy!!

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum 💐

think you should honour you Mum, by using a name you love!! ❤️

Having your own child when your mum has died can bring up all kinds of issues. Don't be hesitant to get help xx