Baby Names
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WDYT: Caroline (nn Cara) or simply Cara?
in Baby Names
Do you prefer the FN Caroline with Cara as a NN or Cara as a standalone name? MN will probably be Marie or Mae after one of my great-grandmothers. Last name is 2 syllables and starts with the letter "B". ***BACKGROUND: DH and I are struggling with names. He seems to prefer unisex names (Riley, Morgan). He also liked the name Carly because his Dad's name is Carlton and his dad passed away when DH was 18. I prefer classic feminine names (my own name is unisex, though mostly female). Anyway, our remaining list is:
Morgan (DH favorite, not mine);
Paige;
Charlotte (nn Charley);
and
Caroline (nn Cara but I really dislike Carol).
Since we like Irish names (we are both Irish and our fn's are Irish) I've started thinking about naming our daughter Cara as a stand alone name. WDYT?
** sorry for lack of clicky poll or spacing. This was written on a mac.***
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Re: WDYT: Caroline (nn Cara) or simply Cara?
I've never understood the "too nicknamey" thing. My name is Mandie. Not Amanda, not Miranda ... Mandie. It's always suited me just fine and I can't ever think of a time where it held me back in any way not to have a more formal name.
If you like Cara, go with Cara. I think it's a beautiful name on its own. Caroline is great as well, but I just think you should name her what you'll call her, now what you think you "should" name her.
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
I think Cara is professional enough to be stand alone. It doesn't sound too 'nicknamey' to me. However, I prefer the name Caroline. I don't think Caroline is shortened to Carol very often, if that is a huge concern for you.
Have you considered Caroline with the NN Carly? Carly is a common NN for Caroline and it would honor your late FIL...just a thought.
I think Paige is a great option for you guys- it seems to match both of your preferences.
I think Cara is a very sweet name, and I love it as a nn for Caroline but it stands alone just fine.
I really don't think that anyone will call her Carol if you name her Caroline.
My choices, in order:
Paige Marie
Caroline Mae, nn Cara
Cara Mae
This. I've NEVER heard of Cara as a NN for anything. My cousin is a Cara and I think it's a gorgeous name and a "formal" name is just superfluous in my opinion.
I am in the "longer, more traditional full name" camp.
But I would be perfectly fine with Cara as a full name. In fact, I'm currently trying to persuade my best friend to use Cara for her next girl.
I however, personally love Caroline so much that I would want to use it as the full name. But that's just me.
Totally agree. Every Cara (or Kara) I know is named just that -- Cara. None of them have ever been nicknames. Go for it!
My first name is Caroline - but I have always gone by the nickname Carrie. I guess my dad really wanted me to have a long formal name and a nickname, and my mom hated the idea of calling me Carol. Just thought I would throw Carrie out as another possible nn!
Just as a warning, I have never really been able to go by Caroline. Even if I introduce myself as Caroline R____, people always find out that I have a nn, Carrie, and they end up calling me that. In my professional life, everyone knows me as Carrie. I am sure I could be more persistant, and go by my real name, but I think once you have grown up with one name, it is really hard to change it!
I agree. It's such a nice name on it's own. Carly maybe would be a better nn?
Love both Caroline and Cara (both are on my list!)
IMO - if you plan to call her Cara, just name her Cara.
You can't go wrong with either, though! Pretty names!