I’m considering [name_u]Carmel/name_ua for a future baby girl. It’s a family name that has both spellings, [name_f]Carmella[/name_f] and [name_f]Carmela[/name_f]. I like the double L but the single is more traditional. Which do you prefer?
Also, as always, are there any unique nicknames associated with this name?
I like both! It’s a very pretty name and a unique but usable choice. The single L spelling seems more obvious to me, because it’s the one I’ve seen before ([name_f]Carmela[/name_f] Soprano!) It feels more graceful/delicate to me, while [name_f]Carmella[/name_f] is, idk, cuter and bouncier. Nicknames I can think of are [name_f]Mella[/name_f]/Mela, [name_f]Ella[/name_f] (more intuitive with the double-L spelling), [name_f]Mellie[/name_f], [name_u]Mel[/name_u], [name_f]Carrie[/name_f], [name_u]Ari[/name_u], Carm, etc.
I agree with the previous analysis regarding how different the spellings feel! On a personal level the double letter spellings I like are few and far between - [name_f]Mirabel[/name_f] over [name_f]Mirabelle[/name_f] looks cleaner and nicer to me. That general preference has plenty of exceptions, of course, but it’s my default. So I quite like [name_f]Carmela[/name_f], but if you prefer the double L, I don’t think it would be problematic since “-ela/ella” names are pretty much always going to result in the need to spell it out as people will otherwise guess different spellings. Either spelling will result in a roughly equal amount of confusion unless [name_f]Carmella[/name_f] is a notably unusual spelling where you live.
I don’t say that to suggest using an “-ela/ella” name isn’t worth it though, it absolutely is! And if you like [name_f]Carmella[/name_f] better, use [name_f]Carmella[/name_f].
I personally prefer [name_f]Carmela[/name_f], as I know the double L is not pronounced the same way in all languages and I would want to avoid confusion. In terms of nicknames, I also think [name_u]Mel[/name_u]/Mela is associated with it and just makes more sense with the single L spelling.
^^Was going to say pretty much this, but [name_f]Carmella[/name_f] is lovely too and not too hard to clarify the pronunciation if it’s your preference.
[name_f]Mellie[/name_f]/Melie is probably my favorite nn option!
I prefer the look of double L! [name_f]Carmella[/name_f] also looks less like [name_u]Carmel[/name_u] or caramel on first glance, which is probably only a thought for sole [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers (my great grandfather was [name_u]Olie[/name_u] [name_u]Carmel[/name_u], after the mount [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] stood on when he had his showdown with the prophets of Baal). I doubt many ppl will think of that.