Coraline isn't made up
in reply to a message by Caroline
Coraline has been in use in France since the 1950s though it didn't gain any popularity until the 80s.
Replies
Ah, ok. Since it isn't in the database I just assumed (wrongly). Either way, it's pretty darn cute.
It was probably made up in the 1950s. Eh?
I really don't think adding -line to a short name counts as "making it up." I mean, that's what happened to Caroline, isn't it? It's more like making a diminutive official.
I really don't think adding -line to a short name counts as "making it up." I mean, that's what happened to Caroline, isn't it? It's more like making a diminutive official.
I think "-ine" means something like "similar to," "like," or "resembling" in Latin, so I'm thinking they meant it, once upon a time, to mean "resembling Carolus." Though this is just me blabbing with nothing to back it up.
"Resembling coral" would be more likely, surely? Like crystalline = resembling crystal? But you're probably on to something with your Carolus idea: anyone who wanted a change from Caroline but not too great a change might well find Coraline suitable.
Whatever, I don't much enjoy adjectives as names - Bonnie, etc - so for actual use I'd far rather use or see Coralie.
Whatever, I don't much enjoy adjectives as names - Bonnie, etc - so for actual use I'd far rather use or see Coralie.
I was talking about Caroline, not Coraline, but yeah, that works for Coraline. :)
I always just assumed it was a diminutive, like -lein in German? I dunno though