Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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.

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.

JazbayGrapes · 01/10/2024 16:55

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

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. 😫

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 😄

TeamPolin · 06/10/2024 13:15

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

TheMovieFlopped · 20/04/2025 22:38

Kirin is a nice alternative.

Karen is just Kaz. It’s chavvy!

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

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.

username462025 · 21/04/2025 01:01

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

TrelawnyBastian · 21/04/2025 01:36

What about Karina?

RogueFemale · 22/04/2025 00:12

Another solid 70s name is Heather.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page