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Baby Names
Kinda bummed about popularity of daughter's name (Caroline)
Anyone else pick a name that you knew was not totally unique or unheard of, but believed it was not top 10? I had baby#3 this summer and we named her Caroline. While nearly all of the names we liked were consistently in the top 100, we were trying to avoid top 10 for our state (Texas). I researched for HOURS the popularity of Caroline. While I found that it was often in the top 20 in the southern east coast states, it appeared to float in and out of top 100 in many states and was consistently between 50 and 85-ish in Texas. I knew of a few adult Carolines, a teenager or two, a five year old Caroline and had seen a facebook reference to a baby with the name. That type of popularity I was okay with. My other two LOs were in 2 different preschools while pregnant with my daughter and I looked at every class list (church classes, too) and not one Caroline in any of the preschool classes. Over the last two weeks, I have met or been told of 5 baby girls born within the last 10 months and one arriving any day and three of the six are named Caroline!! Throw in my baby girl and that is 4 out of 7 girls in close proximity named Caroline. One of my close friends even said "I am afraid you picked an uber-popular name!". Another friend made the comment "Wow, everyone is naming their baby Caroline." 
. I was prepared to have my little girl be one of probably 2 Carolines in her class, not one of 5!
What did I miss? I should have paid attention to all the ladies on this board who list it as a possibility and a favorite. However, comments (at least last summer) were always positive and sometimes alluded to it being an "underused" name.
Okay, I know it is her name, can't dwell. Still love the name. I guess I just needed to vent (my husband thinks I am crazy for caring so much about this) and see if anyone has first hand experience and advice with unintentionally using a super popular name (i.e. will it bother me less as years go on)?
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Re: Kinda bummed about popularity of daughter's name (Caroline)
BFP#1 10 wk missed mc
BFP#2 DS born at 40+2 on 8/14/12 BFP#3 DD Born at 39+3 on 5/13/14
"A new baby is like the beginning of all things--wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities."
I was one of 4 Laurens in my small class. It didn't ruin my life. I think my name is beautiful.
Caroline is a beautiful name and frankly I will just never understand why people get so bothered about things like this. You loved the name enough to use it so that should mean something.
It's a just a really, really popular name in the South. And with good reason--it's a beautiful, feminine, classic name. I'm sorry that the popularity bothers you--but like PP, I'm a Sarah that has always been surrounded by Sarahs, adn it's never bothered me because I love my name.
like PP, I was also one of many Lauren's and it never bothered me.
Despite that, I do have some need to make sure my babies name isn't extremely popular. More so because I like to to be a little unique (not spelling you-neek). But I think Caroline is a beautiful name. It works so well for all ages.
DD - Lucia Alessandra 6/18/12 ~~~ Welcoming Baby Boy!! - 3/26/14
I am a Kelly and same thing for me. Never has bothered me and I am sure it won't bother your daugther.
Caroline is currently our top name for a girl. It's not very highly ranked in my area (midwest), but I have heard that it's pretty popular in the south. I figure we'll run into other Carolines in the future, but I'm okay with it.
There's a bonus with classic, common names - there aren't any strong associations with those names, and they're timeless.
I understand how you feel. I knew Charlotte was rising in popularity but we decided to use it anyway because it was a family name and it was the only one we both loved. But I do cringe a little bit when I hear of others or when girls on this board say they are sick of it or how popular it is.
Having said that, I think the days of having five girls with the same name in one class are coming to an end. If you look at the numbers, more girls were named the number one name in 1983 (for example) than the number one name in 2010. People are using more variety these days. I wouldn't worry too much about her being one of many.
The other thing to think about is the idea that once you name your baby something, you just notice it more often. It's like when you buy a red truck. You start seeing them everywhere! Are there more red trucks on the road? No. You just notice them more.
Could just be the circle of people you know, I'm also in Texas and I only have one friend with a Caroline who is 5 now and there is only one Karoline at my kids' school. I doubt she will be one of 5 or even one of 2 in her classes.
It's a lovely name, we've thought about using it if we have a fourth.
I second this. I have been asking a lot of people with common names if it bothered them at school or in life, and they always say no. I think it's more important to love your name. I think your daughter will be happy with having such a pretty name.