Is this a naming no-no?

Jenny0908 · July 2010

DH and I are really having a hard time picking out girls names. We had it narrowed down to a list of 5 but neither of us are in love with any of the names. This weekend DH brought up the name Caroline. Both of us love this name, the only problem is our last name is Kennedy.

I say we cannot name DD Caroline Kennedy. DH says it is okay. What do you guys think.... is it a no-no?

Note: Will DD last name later.

braveangel2 · July 2010

I can't tell if you're worried about the aliteration or if Caroline is a famous person. Honestly, I had to look it up, so no. Now if you were going for Jacqueline maybe then I'd know it, but Caroline doesn't show up on my famous person radar.

mcmann05 · July 2010

I don't think it's a no-no but you'll definitely get asked many times if you guys were Kennedy fans.

stahlop · July 2010

Really, it's up to you. Kids might not know who Caroline Kennedy is, and adults just might think you like politics.

jellyandcake · July 2010

yeah, it's not like it's a celebrity name and the person will fade from the spotlight. caroline kennedy is part of history. people may bring it up her whole life, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. people generally like the kennedys. i love the name caroline as well.

ritzgrrl · July 2010

I didn't make the connection (had to Google the name), but I s'pose some people might. I think you'd be fine, though.

mlf625 · July 2010

I'd absolutely not name my child Caroline Kennedy.

EastCoastBride · July 2010

As this is actually a different way to spell the name and not ust a part of the "y" trend, what about spelling it Carolyn? I realize some people pronounce caroline as "Line" and not "lynn", but is the difference large enough that you don't love it as Carolyn?

I just feel it's one way to somewhat avoid the connection that some people will make.

And for the record, I would probably have a hard time naming my child Caroline Kennedy. Kids may not make the connection, but I very much do.

Shell24 · July 2010

Am I the only one who is surprised people had to google to figure out what she was talking about?

I guess I shouldn't be (there was one season of the Amazing Race where people didn't recognize Jackie and thought she was some African Queen).

Oh well, I couldn't do it. However, I would imagine as generations become farther and farther removed her name won't be as recognizable.

laurel22 · July 2010

I was about to say it might not get any questions about it at all if you're not from the Northeast or Boston... and then I saw your location! :-)

I don't think it's a big deal. Only people our age and older will make the connection, and it's not like it's a bad person to be connected to, especially in Boston... We sure love our Kennedys in New England!

mcmann05 · July 2010

Shell24:

Am I the only one who is surprised people had to google to figure out what she was talking about?

I guess I shouldn't be (there was one season of the Amazing Race where people didn't recognize Jackie and thought she was some African Queen).

Oh well, I couldn't do it. However, I would imagine as generations become farther and farther removed her name won't be as recognizable.

No, I nosily came back to see what others were saying and was shocked to see that people didn't even know who she was.

meplusone · July 2010

What people don't know who Caroline Kennedy is? That is shocking to me but again, could be a regional thing--I am from NE. And seeing you are from Boston, I would say no.

Also, is your other child Kaylee? I think Caroline and Kaylee are close in sound. Also, I love the nn Callie for Caroline so that makes it even more alike.

anna7602 · July 2010

Since YOU recognize the connection, I wouldn't do it. It would be another thing if it were a name you decided on and somebody said "hey, did you realize this is a famous person?"

Jenny0908 · July 2010

Thanks ladies! It is shocking to me that some people don't know who Caroline Kennedy is, but I am a MAsshole born and bred so I know the Kennedys like the back of my hand. I am going to tell DH this is a no go and we have to go back to the drawing board. Baby naming shouldn't be this hard....

katana · July 2010

I'm Canadian and I made the association. I'm shocked people had to look that up. Personally, I would not use it.

swilker · July 2010

meplusone:

What people don't know who Caroline Kennedy is? That is shocking to me but again, could be a regional thing--I am from NE. And seeing you are from Boston, I would say no.

Also, is your other child Kaylee? I think Caroline and Kaylee are close in sound. Also, I love the nn Callie for Caroline so that makes it even more alike.

Well I was shocked to read that people don't know who Caroline Kennedy is also and I am from Tennessee.

I would say if you really love it, go for it. It's a little funny at first but it's the kind of thing I think people will forget about after they are used to it.

starsmaycollide · July 2010

I would not do it-she is very well known. To me, it's like how I know a child named Elizabeth Taylor. Maybe other young kids don't know the actress, but most people do and will continue to!

ETA: Also, what about similar sounding names? Cara is beautiful but won't have the same name association.

Stimpy09 · July 2010

I went to school with a Caroline K. It never seemed to be an issue.

Jenny0908 · July 2010

starsmaycollide:

I would not do it-she is very well known. To me, it's like how I know a child named Elizabeth Taylor. Maybe other young kids don't know the actress, but most people do and will continue to!

ETA: Also, what about similar sounding names? Cara is beautiful but won't have the same name association.

Love Cara -- but that is my sister's name.

EastCoastBride · July 2010

Shell24:

Am I the only one who is surprised people had to google to figure out what she was talking about?

No, I was a bit surprised too.

getnmarried910 · July 2010

I don't think too many people will even think about it. I think it's pretty. I love the name Caroline.

LMS05 · July 2010

I love Caroline so much. Obviously she will get comments about her name, but I don't think that's a reason not to use it! She will probably change her last name when she gets married anyway. I wouldn't cross it off the list.

amwadas · July 2010

Since you live in MA you will probaby get asked a lot about the connection, but honestly I like it a lot. And being a girl she will not always be a Kennedy if she gets married and all.

HAFranklin · July 2010

I wouldn't use it. We had a similar issue with a name we loved...Benjamin. Our last name is Franklin. Just couldn't do it, no matter how much I loved the name.

HappyMrsK · July 2010

Shell24:

Am I the only one who is surprised people had to google to figure out what she was talking about?

I know! I'm really surprised how many people don't know who she is.

I'm from the south and I know who Caroline Kennedy is, so not being from the NE isn't an excuse. Some people must live under a rock or not know anything about history apparently.

Temp984666312503071 · July 2010

Shell24:

Am I the only one who is surprised people had to google to figure out what she was talking about?

No... I am shocked too. Indifferent

I think it is fine. If it bothers you then try to think of something a little different (Carolyn is a good suggestion).

OctoberCAPA · July 2010

sweetheart18:
Shell24:

Am I the only one who is surprised people had to google to figure out what she was talking about?

No... I am shocked too.

I think it is fine. If it bothers you then try to think of something a little different (Carolyn is a good suggestion).

I'm also shocked. Seriously?? Does no one follow current events?

I couldn't do it--both Caroline and Carolyn are famous Kennedys. Carolyn Kennedy was JFK Jr.'s wife. I like it for a middle name. What about Carly or Karen?

janneann1127 · July 2010

meplusone:
What people don't know who Caroline Kennedy is? That is shocking to me but again, could be a regional thing--I am from NE. And seeing you are from Boston, I would say no.

Also, is your other child Kaylee? I think Caroline and Kaylee are close in sound. Also, I love the nn Callie for Caroline so that makes it even more alike.

This. People will always ask about it.. a naming no-no, IMO.

hutch0830 · July 2010

I think the majority of people will know her-Carolyn too. I wouldn't use it. What about something like Clara?

erbear · July 2010

braveangel2:

I can't tell if you're worried about the aliteration or if Caroline is a famous person. Honestly, I had to look it up, so no. Now if you were going for Jacqueline maybe then I'd know it, but Caroline doesn't show up on my famous person radar.

You had to look up Caroline Kennedy!?!

I wouldn't do it. She's pretty well-known.

sara1817 · July 2010

I think it works just fine. Besides the hard C at the beginning of both they don't really sound alike. I say go for it! Especially if you both love the name!

juliejb · July 2010

mlf625:
I'd absolutely not name my child Caroline Kennedy.

Same here. ?I can't believe some of you don't know who she is!!?

Temp984666312503071 · July 2010

As for Carolyn (Bessett) Kennedy being popular... I guess I disagree. I definitely knew of her when she was alive, but that marriage was so (tragically) short lived that I don't think people would connect the dots the way they would with Caroline Kennedy... But maybe thats just my opinion..

But shoot, with a name like Kennedy it is tough to find a name that doens't have some kind of connection to that family .

momofolivia · July 2010

sweetheart18:

As for Carolyn (Bessett) Kennedy being popular... I guess I disagree. I definitely knew of her when she was alive, but that marriage was so (tragically) short lived that I don't think people would connect the dots the way they would with Caroline Kennedy... But maybe thats just my opinion..

But shoot, with a name like Kennedy it is tough to find a name that doens't have some kind of connection to that family .

agree with the above.

and yes - flabbergasted that people don't know who Caroline Kennedy is.

JenPVH · July 2010

sweetheart18:

As for Carolyn (Bessett) Kennedy being popular... I guess I disagree. I definitely knew of her when she was alive, but that marriage was so (tragically) short lived that I don't think people would connect the dots the way they would with Caroline Kennedy... But maybe thats just my opinion..

But shoot, with a name like Kennedy it is tough to find a name that doens't have some kind of connection to that family .

I am still shocked! I grew up in Montana and California, don't follow politics nor celebrities and I know who she is. She may have been short lived by her short life and short marriage but she is associated with one of the most famous death story!

With that said, I don't really think using Caroline as your LO's name will be an issue. Most people will only call her by her first name on casual basis. School will use her full name but I doubt her peers will make associations with that name.

mrs.Awoods · July 2010

I didn't associate it with "the" Caroline Kennedy, and I think it's a pretty and classic name. Go for it if you like it!

cittycat · July 2010

I wouldn't do it.

MaryYVR · July 2010

mcmann05:
Shell24:

Am I the only one who is surprised people had to google to figure out what she was talking about?

I guess I shouldn't be (there was one season of the Amazing Race where people didn't recognize Jackie and thought she was some African Queen).

Oh well, I couldn't do it. However, I would imagine as generations become farther and farther removed her name won't be as recognizable.

No, I nosily came back to see what others were saying and was shocked to see that people didn't even know who she was.

I was shocked as well, and I'm Canadian and have never lived in the U.S.

I don't think it's necessarily bad. Caroline Kennedy is a public figure but not overly prominent. My cousin's wife is named Jacqueline Kennedy and she loves her name. She's about 40 and wouldn't get rid of it when she got married.

I think it's a pretty name and the two names go well together.

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