My husband and I have our first baby girl due in [name]April[/name]! A name we have been tossing around lately is [name]Carlen[/name]. It’s actually a family surname on his side, but we’re warming up to it for a girl. I think it’s a precious name, just a little unsure about using it in the shadow of the more trendy “[name]Carly[/name]”
Could [name]Carlen[/name] be a suitable girls name?
Would it be better with a different spelling? (Carlyn, Carlin, Carlynn)
(other options are [name]Helena[/name] [name]Grace[/name], [name]Avery[/name] [name]Corinne[/name], [name]Harper[/name] [name]Anna[/name] and [name]Elliott[/name] [name]Joy[/name]. We also like [name]Annika[/name] [name]Charlotte[/name], and the names [name]Juliette[/name], [name]Emmeline[/name] and [name]Magali[/name])
I think its cute. I think the spelling [name]Carlen[/name] or [name]Carlyn[/name] would work. I think [name]Carlyn[/name] [name]Juliette[/name] would be sweet
I love the name [name]Corinne[/name], which has a similar sound. I don’t think [name]Carlen[/name] has a very feminine sound and it’s not my taste. If you don’t like [name]Carly[/name] there’s always [name]Carla[/name], [name]Carlotta[/name], [name]Carlene[/name], [name]Carine[/name], [name]Cora[/name], [name]Coral[/name], [name]Coralie[/name], [name]Coraline[/name], [name]Corin[/name], [name]Carissa[/name], [name]Clarissa[/name], [name]Caroline[/name] or [name]Carolyn[/name]. Of course, if you love it go for it!
This one caught my eye b/c my dad’s name is [name]Karlin[/name]! I actually like it for a boy but he would hate if I used it for either sex b/c he has never cared for it. I will just advise you that he constantly gets people calling him asking for “[name]Carolyn[/name]” (telemarketers, people calling for business, etc.). I know it doesn’t make a lot of sense, but he has had that all his life. Of course once they realize he’s a man, they know they’ve made a mistake. So it makes me wonder if a girl named [name]Carlen[/name] would have to put up with even a lot more “[name]Carolyn[/name]”-ing than he has had to. I do think it’s cute though, just wanted to let you know!
I love the family connection for you, but I agree it’ll be perceived as a take on trendier [name]Carly[/name] (especially if you spell it [name]Carlyn[/name]), and/or a misspelling of [name]Carolyn[/name] (espeically if you spell it [name]Carlyn[/name]). [name]Carlen[/name] is definitely the spelling to go with if you do this. I agree w pp’s it may be better used in the middle spot. [name]Avery[/name] [name]Carlen[/name] is similar to your [name]Avery[/name] [name]Corinne[/name] combo and I think really nice.
BTW I obviously adore the name [name]Helena[/name], and to me [name]Helena[/name] [name]Carlen[/name] works. It’s interesting looking at your list, I don’t know if you’re planning future children and if you are, I don’t know if you care about the sibset thing, but [name]Avery[/name], [name]Harper[/name], and [name]Elliot[/name] (and [name]Carlen[/name], for that matter) fit together as one set of sisters easily, and [name]Helena[/name], [name]Annika[/name], [name]Juliette[/name], and [name]Emmeline[/name] in another, so it might be worth thinking about which tone you prefer more if you care.
@Jesba - I had considered that, but my husband and I are taking it one child at a time. We agreed not to “plan” sibsets, and name our children based on the fact that they are individuals, not part of a set.
