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S/O Caroline, does the pronunciation vary or is it often mispronounced?
I really like the name Caroline when pronounced with a "line" at the end. I often hear people pronounce the last syllable "Lynn" and I really dislike that pronunciation. Is "Lynn" an alternate pronunciation, or is it incorrect, or does it vary by region? I am hoping some of the name experts on this board can set the record straight.
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Re: S/O Caroline, does the pronunciation vary or is it often mispronounced?
In my experience, Caroline is always pronounced "line." The "lynn" ending is an entirely differently name, Carolyn.
I was of the understanding that Caroline is a very old derivative of Charles, and Carolyn was Carol + Lynn creation of the twentieth century variety.
ETA: I don't have research to back that up. My grandma's name is Carolyn and I remember hearing that that's where her name came from. That doesn't mean it's true in every case.
I agree.
I think so too but I keep hearing a few Carolines in our circles being referred to, and refer to themselves, as Carolyns. I'm quite fond of Caroline but the Carolyn pronunciation puts a damper on the name.
I have never heard Caroline pronounced Carolyn, but if this one is a girl, that will be her name, so maybe I will hear it mispronounced more often.
Kind of stupid, no? Would you call Lisa a Lissa? They are 2 totally different names.
I agree with you. I can't honestly say how often it gets mispronounced, but I'm guessing it's regional. In my area they are two distinctly different names--I know two Carolines and they both pronounce their name with the -line ending. I also know a Carolyn.
I think it would be a simple matter of introducing your daughter by the full name Caroline, though. Both pronunciations being so common, I don't think it would hard to convince people of how you want it pronounced.
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Carolyn- lynn ending
Caroline- line ending
This is how I pronounce it!
I am a Carolyn and I loathe being called Caroline. It's happened all of my life and I honestly don't understand it.
Carolyn, Carolynn, Carolin = Care-oh-lynn
Caroline = Care-oh-line. The e on the end makes the i long.
Phonics.
Punkybooster - I think Caroline is a great name so I hope you get your girl.
Strangebird - You make a good point in regards to using introductions to ward off any mispronunciations. But, does it "go" with Harper? I am only joking in regards to the last question as I believe you are not fond of the name but I have enjoyed our Caroline/Carolyn discussion nonetheless.
Thank you for your input ladies. I will continue to silently correct the Caroline/Carolyn offenders.
I find this very interesting because I can see how Caroline might roll off the tounge as Carolyn if not fully annunciated but I am surprised it happens in reverse.
My opinion of Harper aside, I don't think that Harper and Caroline do go together, but they're your children.
This!
Totally agree with this. My old roomie was a Carolyn, and god forbid if you ever called her Caroline. I also know a Caroline, and same thing if you ever call her Carolyn. Caroline is "line," Carolyn is "lynn"
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