Karen is my Name

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 ?

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.

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

There is a Facebook Group... A group where we all pretend to be Karen www.facebook.com/groups/682033489299685

All I can say is why the dickens are you taking any notice of some so called empathy whatsit website??? It's just a load of rubbish and not worth bothering with!!!

It’s very common and has been for a while. I am a Karen apparently, just in jest I think but I am not named Karen. I think that might be why I don’t mind and just think it’s fun.

never heard of this..how strange!

Ellee, thank you for your point about 'othering'. It was what I thought, but couldn't express, and I feel better equipped for reading your post

I must live a sheltered life....I have never heard the name Karen used in a derogatory way....

Greenfinch

I have never heard Karen being used in this way.It is a lovely name. Didn't it used to be Sharon and Tracy who were ridiculed?

Same here Mines joan and lots of times people have said to rhyme with moan or I'll tick the 70+box shall I?
I can understand where you are coming from.

I can't say that I've hear people belittle others using "Karen" though I have with "Sharon".

I have a daughter called Karen, she’s blonde has a high level job and is very proud of her name that I gave her, she’s a strong woman, who makes good decisions.
I mentioned blonde because people think blonde woman are all sexy and dim, which she ain’t.
My name is Sheila I am proud of my name, never take any notice of what’s said about it.

How about calling yourself Kay? Different but not to different.

Villifying a name is a disgusting thing to do as there could be many people with that name.
Nobody wants their name used in a derogatory way. I am not Karen but I understand how upsetting it must be.

I changed my forename in my mid 40’s and I’ve never looked back. I hated my given name, even as a child, and used to fantasise about how I’d like to be named. More so as an adult as I felt it had comic undertones attributed to unpleasant, supposedly, upperclass, women. I only discussed it with my partner who was pleased with my choice; made the decision, and simply informed friends and family, and more formally my employer and colleagues of the change. It takes others a while to make the adjustment (as well as yourself) but if there were any negative thoughts about it none were voiced.

It isn’t necessary to do it by Deed Poll unless you want to. You need to inform the Inland Revenue/Nat. Insurance. Change your Passport and Driving Licence, mention it to your GP, Dentist, whoever, when you next see them and go for it! It was the best thing I could have done and positively changed completely how I felt about myself. JUST DO IT !