WDYT: Caroline or Katherine?

snapplegirl · March 2012

We're trying to decide between these two names. We'd probably use Carrie or Kate for nns. I kind of like Katherine/Kate a smidge better but I worry about it being so popular. I don't want DD to be one of four Kates in her class, you know?

So yay or nay for Caroline/Carrie?

AshDahlia · March 2012

I like both, but if you would use Carrie or Kate, why not just name her that instead of the long version? Carrie is cute, but still okay for an adult, which a lot of people forget about. With the whole princess thing, she might be one of a few Kates.

SayAnything84 · March 2012

I think both are very pretty names. I would go with Caroline though just because I hear it a little less, plus I love when names have an L in them for some reason, I just think it makes them sound so soft.

rels09 · March 2012

I prefer Katherine/Kate.

raeyn · March 2012

I love Caroline.

CraftyKayla · March 2012

Yes to Caroline.

alohamora · March 2012

This is a though decision because I really like both. I don't really like Carrie as a nn for Caroline, but I'll vote for Caroline anyway.

CocoBrynne · March 2012

I like them both, but I really dislike the NN Carrie, all I think about it the movie, not a good thing. Katherine is beautiful, and I love Kate also.

BLPL101 · March 2012

Both are beautiful, but I think Caroline because it's less popular.

irish city girl · March 2012

I like both. I'm not a huge fan of Carrie as a nickname for Caroline. I think Caroline is pretty on its own. I love Kate though.

Moxie27 · March 2012

katherine. i think i prefer it spelled with a "c," though.

HAFranklin · March 2012

Hmmm thats a tough one. I'm not a huge fan of the name Katherine, as it sounds more dated than classic to me (and I know I'm in the minority on that.), but I prefer the NN Kate over Carrie.

SO...

Katherine vs Caroline = Caroline

Kate vs Carrie = Kate

Sorry, I know that's not much help.

moonfaerie · March 2012

I actually know more Carolines than Katherines, and it seems to be on everyone's list. I've heard and seen it so much recently that I'm tired of Caroline, so I prefer Katherine. However, I like the nn Carrie better than Kate. I also don't see a problem with using Carrie as a stand-alone name.

My opinion isn't much help, is it.

austenreader85 · March 2012

They're both trending down, as of 2010. I'm not convinced Katherine/Catherine is going to skyrocket because of the Royal Wedding.

Katherine has been more consistently (ie classically) popular though. Katherine is about as popular now as it was 50 years ago. Caroline was 177 50 years ago and is 88 for 2010 and peaked at 62 in 20001. Katherine's peak was 25 in 1991.*

So basically there have and always will be more Katherines than Carolines. Kate is also trending as a stand alone FN coming in at 209 in 2010 whereas Carrie was 996. So there are certainly more Kates as well.

All that being said, I prefer Katherine (though I love it with a C). I think the soft "th" sound in the middle is very pretty. I really like Caroline too, but Katherine wins out for me.

* I only used the last 50 years of data, basically because I felt like it and feel like it's more relavent than the info from 1880.

Aligator28 · March 2012

I like Caroline, a lot. It is way popular in my area though (South Louisiana). There are lots and lots of little Carolines and Kates running around here.

BuckeyeANG · March 2012

I love both but slightly prefer Katherine nn Kate because it seems to be less popular. I would second the suggestion to just use Kate.

mysticriver · March 2012

Love both! I've seen as many Carolines as Katherines, I say go with the one you like best, you can't go wrong with either!

KrazyKat35 · March 2012

I perfer the name Katherine over Caroline, some what because i am the ninth generation of Katherine in my family, i have only ever meet two other Katherines that were not a member of my family. I love the name and she can also use the nn Kat as well if she wants something that is not that popular in nns.

Loganswife · March 2012

I prefer Caroline, but I really dislike Carrie. If you must use Carrie, then my vote goes to Katherine/Kate.

tusshie2004 · March 2012

I like Katherine as a MN. Why not use Caroline Kate or Caroline Katherine. That way you can use both names you like.

ENI36 · March 2012

I prefer Katherine.

crystal959 · March 2012

DD2 is Caroline. I'm not a huge fan of Carrie as a NN. We call her Cara or Care-Bear usually.

I love the name Catherine, but you're right about the popularity (at least in my area).

ten17 · March 2012

These are very similar to our top name choices (Caroline or Kathleen) so I think you have great taste in names - I love Katherine but have a niece with that name so sadly it is out.
I don't think you can go wrong with either but I would give the edge to Katherine because I LOVE the nn Kate.

sweetpea2003 · March 2012

My DD is Katherine nn Kate so I obviously love it and give it the edge. Though I don't find Katherine/Kate to be overly popular and they are trending down, I still run into other little Kates regularly. It doesn't bother me.

That being said, Caroline is another favorite of mine. My only $.02 is that I don't like Carrie as a nickname for Caroline. For me, Caroline is one of those nickname-less names. Or at least I prefer it that way. All of the little Carolines I know go by just Caroline.

I find the popularity of Kate/Katherine and Caroline to be very similar. I wouldn't use it as the deciding factor.

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