Is Caroline too similar to Carolyn?

FutureMrsCaesar · August 2010

I have always loved the name Caroline, and DH likes it, but he worries that it's too similar to his sisters name which is Carolyn (she goes by Carrie). I get that they are similar, but I also think that they are two totally separate names.

He finally did agree to it with our last baby, who ended up being a boy so we didn't need it, but now we're having the same conversation all over again!

What do you think? Too close to Carolyn/Carrie? And what are some other nicknames for Caroline?

Oh and for the record, his sister loves the name Caroline and is flattered that we like it and it's so close to her name...lol.

forensicmama · August 2010

I do think it is very similar. I also agree that they're separate names. If his sister was a terrible person, then I'd nix the name altogether, but it sounds like she's a nice woman, so why not keep the name? And you don't have to call Caroline by any nicknames. I knew a Caroline in high school who didn't go by any nicknames and still doesn't.

behapy2day · August 2010

I do think that they are very similiar, but if his sister is fine with it and doesn't go by her full name, like you said, then I think it is fine. That being said, I love the name Caroline- it is beautiful and classic in its full form. I would not use a nn.

clairej · August 2010

I think it's fine. If Carolyn was your daughter's cousin I would think twice, but in this case it's not the same generation. I wouldn't worry about it. And I think Carrie is fine as a nn, but Caroline is such a pretty name on its own I almost hate to use a nn for it.

cogbot · August 2010

Caroline is a gorgeous name. If your sister-in-law doesn't mind I say go for it!

laurenbncha# · August 2010

I LOVE the name Caroline and HATE the name Carolyn. I have friends with both names and hadn't considered that they were similar until H said something about it.

I'd go for it. I don't think that it would occur to anyone to think that. Especially since you're SIL goes by Carrie.

FutureMrsCaesar · August 2010

I don't necessarily want to shorten Caroline either, just wondering if it inevitably happens, what other nicknames there are.

We're still calling Matthew by his full name so far!

honkytonk_kid · August 2010

They are similar but I would still go for it! Caroline was our girl's name, I love it. I don't think you need a nn though, it's so nice on it's own.

Mrs.Deputy · August 2010

I think that Caroline/Carolyn are very similar, but if she doesn't mind and you don't mind your child being associated with her, then I think it's great! I love the nn Linny for Caroline!

FutureMrsCaesar · August 2010

laurenbncha#:

I LOVE the name Caroline and HATE the name Carolyn. I have friends with both names and hadn't considered that they were similar until H said something about it.

I'd go for it. I don't think that it would occur to anyone to think that. Especially since you're SIL goes by Carrie.

Haha! Yes! This was me exactly! It never even crossed my mind that they were similar until he said that. And I'm not a fan of Carolyn so I guess I was in denial that they were similar. lol.

PoetSorrow · August 2010

If SIL and you are ok with it, I say go for it. What about Carly for a nick name?

RachieTK · August 2010

I agree that they are separate names. My friend's little sister was Caroline, and never went by a nickname. The benefit of naming her Caroline is you have an instant song for every major event in her life... and everyone in America will know the words

momo21 · August 2010

I think the names are very similar. I have a friend Caroline who is always mistakenly getting called Carolyn. There is even a comedian (Brian Regan) with a bit about that.

With that said, because your SIL goes by Carrie and doesn't mind, go for it! Plus I agree since they're different generations, it's fine. It is a beautiful name!

KeriMichaelMarie · August 2010

Yes... but If the sister is ok with it, no big deal.

moneybunny · August 2010

Personally - I consider it a different spelling of the same name.

moonfaerie · August 2010

You could use Carol as a nn if you really feel you need one.

izzourclue · August 2010

I think its pretty much the same name. Sorry. As far as other NN's Carol is the only one that comes to mind.

MaryYVR · August 2010

They're obviously too close to name siblings but I think it's fine to use. It's a pretty name and I definitely prefer Caroline to Carolyn. I disagree with the PP who said it's the same name spelled differently - the names sound quite different.

Since you SIL is good with it (and also goes by Carrie), I'd go for it! As far as nn's go, the Caroline's I've known have always gone by Caroline. Carly may be a good option though.

juniper19 · August 2010

behapy2day:
I do think that they are very similiar, but if his sister is fine with it and doesn't go by her full name, like you said, then I think it is fine. That being said, I love the name Caroline- it is beautiful and classic in its full form. I would not use a nn.

I agree

Allie30 · August 2010

It's more than similar. It's the SAME NAME. It's like Catherine and Kathryn. SAME NAME.

That being said, I don't know how it's a problem that it's his sister's name. Alternate nicknames for Caroline are: Line, Carol, Carly...

mrsarjiltobe · August 2010

Yeah they're similar, but they're not too close. I think it would be fine. I like it!

FutureMrsCaesar · August 2010

Allie30:

It's more than similar. It's the SAME NAME. It's like Catherine and Kathryn. SAME NAME.

That being said, I don't know how it's a problem that it's his sister's name. Alternate nicknames for Caroline are: Line, Carol, Carly...

I assure you that they are not the SAME NAME. If you don't believe me, find someone named Caroline or Carolyn and try calling them by the other.

I'mAcrossThePond · August 2010

Allie30:
It's more than similar. It's the SAME NAME. It's like Catherine and Kathryn. SAME NAME.
That being said, I don't know how it's a problem that it's his sister's name. Alternate nicknames for Caroline are: Line, Carol, Carly...

ABSOLUTELY NOT. I am Carolyn and I loath being called Caroline (not because I don't like the name, I actually LOVE it!!), but my name is Carolyn. Lyn and Line are very different. I have gotten called Caroline all of my life when my name is clearly not spelled the same, nor does the spelling of my name suggest the "y" would be made to sound like a long "i" - it always baffled me how people thought it was the same.

Can you please explain to me phonetically how they should sound the same?

azuremama · August 2010

It's similar, but in a flattering way. If she goes by Carrie, I wouldn't worry about it at all. Caroline's very pretty! Go for it! I don't think it needs a nickname. If you were determined, you could call her Car, Caro, or even Callie.

sassy1357 · August 2010

Same name, different spelling

Mike&Care · August 2010

Definitely not the same name.

My name is Carolyn. Oddly enough, I love Caroline much more than Carolyn. However, its annoying when people call me Caroline or spell my name Caroline. They are pronounced differently.

One ending ryhmes with "win" the other ryhmes with "wine".

I'd use it! No nickname though. Too pretty. Although, I do have a nickname that most everyone calls me and its "Care".

Mike&Care · August 2010

Also, most people call me "Care-lyn" and drop the "o". Whereas Caroline is almost always "Care-uh-line"

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