What are y'all's thoughts on Caroline?

Ciconrad · January 2011

Pronounced Care-o-line, not Care-a-lynn

I'm not pregnant but DH and I are always talking names for the next baby. We discussed Caroline last night. We're thinking, given our traditional, "old fashioned" boys names, we want to stay in that same theme for a girl. Our boys names also have very strong family ties, so we want something that has meaning, not just a random name we like. We also don't want it to be too popular or trendy.

On the short-list as well are Evelyn and Charlotte. Evelyn is a family name. Charlotte has meaning because we just moved from Charlotte, NC after living there for 8 years and it's a special place to us (we were engaged there, bought our first home there, had our first two children there, etc). Caroline would sort of have that Carolina connection. Evelyn and Charlotte just seem to really be on the upswing popularity wise but Caroline seems to be common (ranked in the 80's last year on the ss list) but not getting really popular now.

So what about Caroline? Like it? Is it going to get really popular in the near future? Would we constantly have to be emphasizing the pronounciation or do people assume it's Care-o-line when spelled like that? Any random thoughts appreciated.

shellybird101 · January 2011

yes cause its classic

no cause its popular

CocoBrynne · January 2011

I like it, but I think a lot of people will say it Caro-lyn, regardless of spelling

hollyberry3333 · January 2011

I like Caroline, Charlotte & Evelyn. They are all safe, classic choices. All of these name are pretty popular but timeless imo. I like the idea of Charlotte because of how important the place was/is for you and your family. Caroline would be my next choice for the same reason. GL deciding!

Oh and I would def pronounce it Care-O-line...Carolyn would be Care-uh-lynn.

MrsW801 · January 2011

I love Caroline! It is definitely my favorite out of your three options, though I like Charlotte, too.

PurplePanda83 · January 2011

I like all three of those names. And when I see Caroline I assume Care-o-line rather than Carolyn.

lovinfall · January 2011

Love it. I also assume Care -o-line.

GracieLou Freebush · January 2011

I love this name (and prn it Care-o-line) but can't get my H on board.

faithita · January 2011

Love it!

mlf625 · January 2011

You know how much I love Evelyn, but I think it's just getting verrrrrry popular. The 'E' names are all the rage, it seems, and I think the people who tired of Emily and Emma and Ella found Evelyn to be the newest and greatest alternative to those names. I know of quite a few little Eves and Evies (by "know of" I mean know IRL, have seen on these boards/blogs/etc., or know of people considering the names). I still think it's a great choice, because really, you can't ever totally safeguard from the popularity thing. I chose Vivian not knowing any Vivians and feeling it was pretty obscure, now I see Vivians (and Viviennes) everywhere. I still love her name and wouldn't change it, so even with the popularity factor, I don't think you'd ever regret Evelyn.

Charlotte is lovely. Again, definitely a lot of little Charlottes out there, but if I had to pick just one I'd say this one is the very best with your boys' names. I really like the connection it has for you without being a total "place name" - I don't think people usually think of it as such. Very neat. And imo, less trendy right now than Evelyn.

Caroline is sweet. I do like it. I think the pronounciation factor would be an issue, though. I immediately thought "Care-a-lynn" but I do wonder if that might be more regional? I feel like the southern states are more likely to assume "Care-a-lynn" (and I still talk semi-Texan, so that's probably why I went there right away). I have a good friend who is a Caroline, goes by Cari (as in: Carrie), and everyone always gets it wrong and assumes Car-ee. If I had to bet, though, I'd say this one carries the lowest risk of being the next "big name". I can't put my finger on why I feel that way, though - maybe because it seems like it's been more steadily popular and not a huge gainer?

IDK. I don't think that was any help. I do love them all, but I think my vote would go to Charlotte.

MaybeBaby2 · January 2011

I like Caroline or Charlotte. I know a few grown women and a few babies with the name and all are pronounced Care-o-line. FWIW, I'm in South Carolina and in my mind Caroline =/= Care-o-lynn.

forensicmama · January 2011

Caroline is lovely. I really appreciate this name. I don't think it'll become super popular. No, you wouldn't have to correct pronunciation. Carolyn is the name I connect with care-o-lyn as a pronunciation. Care-o-line is more often going to be pronounced care-o-line (as in South Carolina). The states alone should keep people from saying -lyn.

waterfall11 · January 2011

I really like the name. The only reason it's not on our list is it's SIL's name. You might have the occasional person call her Carolyn, but I think most people will know the correct pronunciation. Evelyn and Charlotte are nice too, but Caroline is definitely my favorite of the 3.

hales.21 · January 2011

I really like Caroline. It's pronounces Caro-line. I know someone who pronounces it Caro-lean, too... but she's Swedish.

MissYouDietCoke · January 2011

Caroline was one of our top choices if we'd been having a girl. But, it's a boy. So, not for this LO.

UGAbride · January 2011

I love the name Caroline (it's on our list, and has been one I've always considered if we were to have a girl). The only hesitation I have now is that I don't know if I love how it flows with our last name, which also starts with a C. Not terrible at all, but others sound slightly better so I am struggling.

[lu?ia] · January 2011

I like Caroline! All the Carolines I know have pronounced it care-o-line, never -lyn.

JaysonandKristin · January 2011

Caroline or Carolina are both amazing names, IMO. I love them both. I don't think you can go wrong.

Soon2BMrsN · January 2011

LOVE. I'd say it's in my top 3 for if we ever have a girl. I love that it's classic but not overused (not around here, anyway). We must have similar taste--Evelyn and Charlotte are also on our list.

lmspharmd · January 2011

All 3 are on my list, so I love! I've only heard Caroline pronounced with the line ending. I know a Charlotte Evelyn and a Charlotte Caroline (nn CiCi).