'I'm 50 years old and changing my name because people are so nasty about it'

12 August 2023 , 17:00

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The woman is tired of being mocked over her name (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

We don't get much say in the name our parents give to us when we're born, and sometimes, you can, unfortunately, find yourself at the butt of many jokes if you have a name that people like to pick on you for. And while it's not right that anyone should be mocked for their name, if you find that you don't want to deal with cruel trolls - or you simply don't like the name your parents gave you - then you can always apply to have your name changed by deed poll.

That's exactly what one woman is planning on doing ahead of her 50th birthday this year, as she confessed she's sick and tired of people being "nasty and juvenile" whenever they hear what her moniker is. The woman said she had no problems being called Karen throughout her childhood, but in recent years the name has become a meme online with people using it to refer to anybody who is acting entitled.

Now, the woman wants to part ways with the moniker for good, and asked in a Reddit forum for suggestions on what she should pick as her new name. She wrote: "Name change from Karen. I'm over it. People are nasty and juvenile. I'll be 50 this year, so I'm not seeing anything in the 'Dakota' or 'Mabel' range - the right one probably won't be on a list for newborns, but I'm not sure. What are reasonable options? I've seen other Karens go to Wren or Ren. The latter I might manage; the former isn't plausible for my age, I think."

Commenters on the post were quick to give the woman alternative suggestions, with top recommendations including Kaye, Carrie, Kaz, and Erin. Some also suggested she change her name to her middle name if that's a possible option for her, but she replied to explain that she also isn't fond of her middle name, Aviva.

Others, however, simply told the woman they were "sorry" to hear that she felt the need to change her name because of the bad reputation the name Karen seems to have built up in recent times. One person said: "Just wanted to say I'm sorry people have made you feel this way," while another sympathised: "For what it's worth, I do not associate any person actually named Karen with the dumb way it has been hijacked. I am so sorry that you find it unlivable now," and a third wrote: "It's an incredibly common name and it's a nice name, nothing wrong with it at all. A lot of people are just dumb."

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The woman replied to a few of the comments to thank them for their suggestions, and said she's particularly fond of Kaz, Kerry, and even just going by the letter K. She also said she tried not to let criticism of her name get to her, but now finds it "exhausting how mean people often are" and just wants to move on.

Zahna Eklund