My Name Has Been Dragged Through the Mud…

Where did your name come from?

The story goes that there was an actress in 1965 that had named her daughter Karen. I believe there was some type of Scandinavian lineage involved which spoke to my half Norwegian born mother as she was about to give birth to her first born. And so I was named Karen on that sweltering Monday in August.

At the time it was not a very common name until I entered school and realized I was one of a handful of Karens. I loved my name and was proud of it. My mother would and still always calls me Ka in the best New York accent anyone can have.

Enter social media when the world began to thrive on memes, unsolicited comments, and rants. Women who complained..asked to speak to a manager for said complaints…had horrific haircuts…or just plain whined were now called “Karens”. My name became a thing. An object. I’ve even heard it used as a slur.

If you know me I am not anything like what these memes or slants portray yet the snickers and eye rolls I encounter when I give my name still amazes me.

Sometime during my college years I developed a nickname during a night of drinking. Kiki stuck and has become my go to name at times. It’s easy to remember and quite frankly not as laughable reactions I get when I introduce myself with my birth name.

What’s in a name? In my case pride except when used as a label which is miles away from who I truly am. Now I just smile and know that my name was given to me and that will never allow me to be anyone else in this world.

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Author: KikiFikar

Kiki Fikar is a native New Yorker who is passionate about taking the day to day life we all experience and sharing it in her tales from Suburbia. She will often be found at the gym, writing snippets each day for future story lines, listening to her two children create their lives, and building the perfect beachfront home and writing retreat in her mind.

25 thoughts on “My Name Has Been Dragged Through the Mud…”

  8. i didn’t get a chance to comment on this yesterday but i hate it how the name has been used by certain people as a dog whistle for thinly veiled racism. i saw it then and it’s amazing how people have been able to layer explanations on top of it over the years.

    my close friend is a Karen too and she is a sweetheart so i jokingly tell her: i’m thankful that you’re acting like a Karen. we both have a lovely time with that joke LOL 🙂 Mike

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  9. Thank you so very much!!! I feel for the Karens of the world or for anyone else. Most of the time I just roll my eyes. I know who I am – lol Hopefully now people who follow my blog can get to know me too! I’m an open book!

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  10. for sure! i’m glad to follow you and will look forward to reading 🙂 nice to meet another New Yorker….even if, all the snobby people on the island now consider us “the bridge and tunnel” crowd (but they’re just jealous we can actually afford a house LOL)

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  12. I’ve known a lot of kind Karens. Totally not fair. Some names went from normal to stereotypes thanks to internet culture.
    The Hall of Shame:
    👩 Karen (2020 peak) → Entitled behavior, demands manager → Anti-mask activism, calls cops unnecessarily → Started online, went mainstream during COVID
    🤦‍♂️ Dick (decades old) → Richard nickname → anatomy slang → general insult → “Don’t be a dick” = don’t be rude/unpleasant
    💪 Chad → Overconfident, sometimes arrogant guy → Gym bro stereotype
    👱‍♀️ Becky → Basic white girl stereotype → Younger version of “Karen”
    ⚡ Kyle → Energy drink addict with anger issues → Punches drywall when mad

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  13. Love these! We forget sometimes how quickly a stereotype can be formed. Boxing people up into a box and slapping a sticky label on it is easy.

    Thanks for a reminder of what can sting and where these misnomers came from. Hope your weekend is off to a great start!!

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Thank you for sharing such warm, positive energy! ✨ It sounds like you’re having a wonderful day, and I can feel that sunny disposition coming through your message. There’s something really uplifting about that combination of good vibes and beautiful weather – it has a way of making everything feel a little brighter.
    I hope you’re able to soak up that New York sunshine and carry that radiant energy with you throughout your day! 🌞

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  15. Thank you! You too! This whole weekend has been full of sunshine and good vibes. The Ryder Cup is in town. Everything here is ELECTRIC and full of fun celebrations. Hope your weekend has been relaxing. I’m looking forward to catching up on your newest pieces tonight.

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