Karen is my Name

Never heard of this. I am glad I lead such a sheltered life.

I've been called a "karen"
I'm so sorry and how insulting for everyone called Karen. You should not need to give into these bullies. Its a time thing because in a year or so it will be called something else but I respect and understand your feelings.

Oriel I am sorry you felt you had to change your name because of ignorant people. But if my name is used in that way I will never change my name . It's the name my parents gave me and I like my name.

I got trolled on a thread by my daughter in law on Gransnet . When I reported it Gransnet asked if I wanted to change my user name but said no thank you. It's what my husband called me. He died 17 years ago aged 47.

Using people's names to mean horrible things is bullying. I was bullied as a child at school . I am damned if I will be bullied as an adult.

What did your family think about you changing your name ?

Oh dear!
This is only the second time I had heard of a "Karen".
Last week a friend was trying to describe someone she had no time for and she said "My son would call her a Karen"
and now I read it on here.
I wonder where and how it started?
Our lovely doctor is called Karen. I hope she doesn't change her name.

I am definitely aware of the "Karen" thing. I remember the woman with the off-lead dog in the park who called the police on a black man, the woman who called to report the black family having a barbeque and was later photoshopped into important moments in history,the "Karen and Ken" who recently pointed guns at protesters, there was the woman who prevented someone parking by sitting on the wheel arch, the woman (who may have been joined by a man later) who called the police on a black man who was chalking "black lives matter" on his own house... so I'm well aware of it.
I certainly don't think it's nice for "real" Karen's.

I suspect the OP is in America where first name use is much stronger than here in the UK. Here we tend to offer surnames more than they do.
In the UK, most dealings with strangers will not be on first name terms - we would be Mrs. Smith, Miss White, Ms Green.
In the US, first name use is everywhere.

I think it's unlikely it would make me want to change my name though. I don't believe people make those connections if you are a genuine and ok person. Changing name is fine if people want to. If it's making you feel bad then do it. I don't believe it would be a reason for me.

I have read about this but havnt had any problems so far . It is ridiculous and as so often has come across from America. Was it a film? Not sure.
Best ignore, most people have never heard of it. I am Karen and perfectly happy being me.

Lemongrove
I would have expected a teacher to have a thicker skin.

Thank you Oriel for your explanation. I didn’t really ‘get’it before. It is not at all like Sheila in Australia ( long gone, by the way). That was just a generic name for a female, same as Bruce was for a male. Both kind of disappeared by the 1980s though I doubt anyone calls their children those names now.
I think it is horrible and,to my mind, equivalent to racism. In fact the same.

I know how you feel to a lesser extent. My name is one that is associated with tarts/slappers. 2 of the popular soaps have characters with this name. It's not nasty like the Karen references, but it is annoying.

It's just another example of 'othering' isn't it?
We divide ourselves with religion, the colour of our skin
Now it seems that we are reduced to denigrating ourselves because of our given name
I was once in a team building session, (remember them ?) where we had to give our names and others discussed what that name suggested to them
Almost everyone agreed my name suggested someone who was pedantic and would be a bore
I laughed along, as you would, but even now these thoughts can come into my head
So I say to the 'Karen's' tek no heed'
It's nonsense
Don't be defined

Is there a male equivalent? Be that a meme, or a generally used name, as with Karen? Or is this solely directed at women?

It's awful. Just awful.

The point of the empathy generator was to see what it’s like having your own name attached to all the rotten stuff ( like anyone called Karen sees.)
sarah1954 I have already commented on somebody I know who is a teacher getting so ground down by all the sly jokes and digs about her name ( Karen, obviously) that she changed jobs and changed her name.
It may not upset the Karens that you know but it certainly does some, it’s a horrible trend.

I certainly wouldn’t change the name my parents chose for me simply because others with complete disrespect of another’s name decided to use it as a derogatory term. I would not be stripped of my identity and I would ignore it too

I think you missed the point of the empathy generator; there was no joke.

i just tried the empathy generator and it does not matter what name you put in it you get the same thing so i assume it is meant as a joke......late...lack of sleep and fed up so i might not have seen the joke...lol

How informative Gransnet is! Although I am unsure if I want to know this.
I find it upsetting how people can be so horrible.

There is a very interesting discussion on the bbc sounds app
It’s one of the “Tricky” discussions from bbc Scotland called “the Karen Meme”.
It’s a very informative listen and “officer Karen”, Karen Bartke is particularly worth listening to.

How ironic Oriel
I try to send a supportive PM as a Karen to somebody who objects to being classified as a opinionated middle class woman with no manners.
Abd this is what I get?
And you say you have changed your name too

Hear hear!!

No Oriel, I did follow your link, and yes it was a bit weird to find my name used in such disgusting ways. But I don’t think I would take it seriously, I know I’m not that person, my friends and family know I’m not that person. It would be much weirder for me to change my name, it’s my name, it’s who I am.

MawBe

Oriel

MawBe

It isn't something you can ignore if your actual name is Karen

Actually it is.

End of

How rude!

No Oriel not rude.
I am proud to be who I am and if you had had the courtesy to reply to my PM you might have understood why.

You may well be proud of yourself but the fact remains that your response to me was rude.

Calling me discourteous does you no favours either.

Throughout my posts I have answered everyone in a civil tone. I have done my best to present an honest case of where things are at this time. I have offered substantive supporting articles, etc.

If people haven't heard of the meme, then fine... however I expect that they will before long. If people don't want to hear, that's fine too.

I do find it puzzling however, when people such as @Sara1954 takes the time to read and respond numerous times on the subject and yet clearly doesn't want to see the facts and just dismisses the whole topic out of hand.

Oriel

MawBe

It isn't something you can ignore if your actual name is Karen

Actually it is.

End of

How rude!

No Oriel not rude.
I am proud to be who I am and if you had had the courtesy to reply to my PM you might have understood why.

I know three Karen’s, if I suggested they may want to change their names, they would think I was being ridiculous.

Mawbe
Agree

The two Karens I know are strong women with successful careers behind them, good relationships and contented in their own skins. I see no reason why they should consider changing their names on account of what is most likely a passing trend.