I love
Carmen, it's one of the names that is always on my top girls' lists that I could really see myself using in real life. There is something so dramatic and vibrant and fiery about it, but it's also very versatile and practical sensible-namey in that there's nothing silly or whimsical about it. It's not juvenile or frilly or girly or hippyish, there's no inherent embarrassing association (
Carmen Miranda,
Carmen Electra, maybe cars, I don't know... I live in the UK and I think at least the first two aren't big cultural references any more and there's so many more Carmens anyway... maybe the opera is more of a thing than them). I could picture a daughter of mine called
Carmen. Can't say that for many names.
Anyway, I think it's beautiful and captivating and I sort of wouldn't be mad if I was called
Carmen.
I like:
Carmen ViolettaCarmen AugustaCarmen VivecaCarmen Isidora /
Carmen IsadoraCarmen IolantheCarmen Odette