[Opinions] Caroline and Carolyn
Replies
It depends. How often do you see your aunt? How old is she? Are you on good terms? Would your dd be viewed as her namesake?
When I was pregnant with my first dd (Kate), I discovered that my dh had a great aunt named Katie. We already had the name picked out before we met her (before I even knew she existed) so imagine my surprise when we met. I was especially upset when my m-i-l told Katie that we were naming our baby after her when I had never even heard of her! On top of that, dear old Katie was a little odd. I briefly considered scraping the name but in the end decided that I'd probably never meet her again (we didn't) so why not keep the name I loved?
You're probably much closer to Carolyn so only you can say. Personally, I'd say Caroline and Carolyn are different enough to be doable, especially if there's enough distance between the two.
When I was pregnant with my first dd (Kate), I discovered that my dh had a great aunt named Katie. We already had the name picked out before we met her (before I even knew she existed) so imagine my surprise when we met. I was especially upset when my m-i-l told Katie that we were naming our baby after her when I had never even heard of her! On top of that, dear old Katie was a little odd. I briefly considered scraping the name but in the end decided that I'd probably never meet her again (we didn't) so why not keep the name I loved?
You're probably much closer to Carolyn so only you can say. Personally, I'd say Caroline and Carolyn are different enough to be doable, especially if there's enough distance between the two.
No. In my book, they are two completely different names.
I think Caroline and Carolyn are basically the same name with different pronuciations (although some pronounce Caroline like Carolyn anyway).
I think they are too close for relatives if you want the name not to be associated with your aunt (or if you don't want your aunt to think it honours her). However, I don't see any reason why you can't use it if you really love the name and don't care that it also honours your aunt. If she's a nice aunt what's the harm in using a name you love and at the same time make an aunt very happy, although she is not the main reason you chose the name?
I think they are too close for relatives if you want the name not to be associated with your aunt (or if you don't want your aunt to think it honours her). However, I don't see any reason why you can't use it if you really love the name and don't care that it also honours your aunt. If she's a nice aunt what's the harm in using a name you love and at the same time make an aunt very happy, although she is not the main reason you chose the name?
I think it's fine.
I think it is.
Yes, I think they're too close. And then, your aunt might assume that you named your daughter after her. If you don't mind that, then fine. But if you do mind, it would be awkward. You'd either have to let her think that, though it wouldn't be true, or tell her that it's not so, which would be sort of mean.
When we named our daughter Victoria, it was assumed by some that we'd named her after my husband's best friend, Victor nn Vic. We didn't really care about whether or not we hurt his feelings, and got in the habit of saying, "NOT named after him."
When we named our daughter Victoria, it was assumed by some that we'd named her after my husband's best friend, Victor nn Vic. We didn't really care about whether or not we hurt his feelings, and got in the habit of saying, "NOT named after him."