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[Opinions] Catherine and Caroline
If I were to use a traditional, timeless, English name for a daughter I would probably use Catherine or Caroline. Catherine always feels like a girl boss to me. It has strength and beauty to it. Caroline feels less physically strong, but more traditional feminine and sweet.I remember first liking Catherine as a child when I heard it on a children's show I watched. Caroline also reminds me of the little house on the prairie. Also the user Caroline that is no longer with us. (Rest in peace girl) What are your thoughts on Catherine and Caroline? Would you use them on a theoretical daughter?Please rate my "Names I would Use" list & "Backup Favorites" list. Feel free to rate some of my other lists too if you have the time.
https://www.behindthename.com/pnl/223226/138473

This message was edited 3/17/2024, 8:13 PM

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QuoteCatherine always feels like a girl boss to me. It has strength and beauty to it. Caroline feels less physically strong, but more traditional feminine and sweet.
Interesting - my impressions are the opposite! Catherine feels wafer-thin, waifish, wispy. I blame the first e, which makes it unclear whether you should pronounce it with 2 or 3 syllables. I've always preferred Catherine to Katherine (I don't much like either), but the advantage Katherine does have is that it looks stronger. But I think they both lack flavour.Caroline feels much stronger. Whereas a Catherine would be pale and consumptive, a Caroline would have a healthy glow to her cheeks and be more vigorous. Maybe it's because the only Caroline I know is very vivacious, energetic, and has a very posh Southern English accent, but I can see a Caroline as a brisk, but friendly aristocrat with a passion for horse riding. I definitely agree with New_Chloe's description - Caroline is glossy. Caroline will also always make me think of the user Caroline/Martha.
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I don't have any strong feelings towards Catherine, although it's acceptable as a name and I prefer the spelling with a C.
I do really like Caroline; it has a sweet, melodic sound. It's classic without being too common or overused (at least where I live).
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All of Catherine's charms have been scraped away by overuse for me (also it reminds me of "catheter"). Caroline is richly glossy and gleaming, I much prefer that name.
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They're too boring for my personal tastes, though I don't dislike them. I prefer Caroline to Catherine.
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I used Caroline for an actual daughter. I'd probably avoid Catherine because of the recent popularity surge in it and its relatives. If I were to use it, on some distant planet perhaps, I'd prefer Katharine.
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Caroline doesn't seem more traditionally feminine or sweet to me. If anything, it seems a bit more German. Maybe Catherine sounds a bit earthier or less cold/metallic but could be because I've met a lot more...or maybe it's just the softness of TH vs the sleekness of L. Carrie and Kathy sound about equal level pragmatic. Kate and Kitty sound sweeter or more girly to me than Carol or Carly; Cara seems less sassy than Cat. Catherine has less pronunciations; Caroline has less spellings.I like them both. I'd rather use Caroline, but that's possibly because of Carrie and Carol being family names. I was almost named Catherine.

This message was edited 3/18/2024, 12:05 AM

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Both are lovely
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I don't mind the spelling Karoline, but overall I'm not a fan of either name.

This message was edited 3/17/2024, 9:29 PM

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They are such classics. I almost prefer their variants, just to mix it up a little. I think if I went with Catherine, I’d have to choose Catalina or Catarina (Spanish heritage) and for Caroline I’d choose Charlize or Carlota, mostly because I have a family member already named Caroline.They’re lovely names and evocative of royalty.
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