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Inner Healing Blog

What's in a Name?

Writer's picture: Karen CurranKaren Curran

Woman writing in the sand on a beach
What's in a Name?

A given name has so much meaning, and is so connected with identity, that to have it used as something mean and vicious is detrimental to its given purpose.

An example is my own name ‘Karen’.

Since 2020 there has been a derogatory - or unkind - use of the name Karen. A new word would have been a creative solution instead, not the demeaning use of a name that means so much to so many. In the 1950s and 1960s ‘Karen’ was one of the top 5 names.

Karen means 'pure, beloved and also kind'. Karen is also the Danish form of Katherine - the diminutives being Kate or Katie, which also stands alone as a name now. So these names are a collective and mean the same and have the same origins.

To have a name used as something mean and vicious is detrimental to its given purpose.

For women who have changed their surname either once or multiple times, their given name takes on even more meaning. I personally choose to be known by my given name, and not my surname.

Others may feel that their given name does not define who they feel that they are, for all kinds of reasons. And this is because our identity is connected with our given name. If the name does not feel right, then we know it. Some people have been given a second name (middle name) that they prefer to be known by.

In the movie “Out of Africa”, one of the last scenes is where the character (based on a real life story), is played by Meryl Streep. At the end of the movie she asks the now free servant, “what is my name?”

He answers, “Your name is Karen.”

What a profound effect.

Your given name defines you, for you are an individual.

You might ask, “What if I don’t like my given name?”


For those who feel that their given or middle name does not fit for them, in most cases you can change it legally by deed poll. Find a name that genuinely fits with your soul. If you feel strongly that you dislike your given name, you can change your name to what you consider is the meaning that aligns with you. It can be life changing for some people. You get to choose. My name is Karen. - Karen Curran

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I honour the custodians of sacred stories, of dreamings, and the connections with the deep earth.
As a resident of the beautiful Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia I acknowledge the Dharug and the Gundungurra Nations as the traditional custodians of this beautiful land in which we live and I honour and pay my respects to the Elders past and present and becoming, with blessings of peace.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this website is intended to inspire you to reflect on your own personal journey to wellness. It is not intended to replace medical care best provided by medical professionals, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Each individual is responsible for their own health and well-being choices.

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