Carmen

[truthisinthewine]

any opinions on Carmen or maybe Carmel, but much prefer Carmen.

Possibly with Esme as middle name.

[Prinpo]

Mmm, had to think about it but I think I like it. It's sufficiently well-known not to cause pronunciation problems and is a refreshing change from names ending in 'ie' or 'a'.

Plus, she would get to parade around and stamp her feet to the opera.

[Climbthewall]

i love Carmen. No to Carmel though

[joeuseless]

when i mentioned carmen to my philistine dh he said mechanics and vetoed it .

i quite like it and prefer it to carmel which just makes me think of toffee.

[squeak2392]

I love Carmen! It's one of my own choices, although I feel it's not classic enough to go with my other names.
I don't like Carmel at all - just makes me think of that advert with that American guy... cider or something maybe?

I also like Carmelina and Carmenita, although I would never use them.

[AlpinePony]

Gorgeous - I have a friend named Carmen and she's is a beautifully dark-haired, brown-eyed woman.

[lordsugarslovechild]

Luuuurvely.

[lordsugarslovechild]

Carmen I mean.

[Wigeon]

Sounds very Spanish to me. Not a problem if you are Spanish but a bit odd IMO if you aren't. And I prefer it pronounced with a genuine Spanish accent (ie with a rolled R), otherwise it sounds like Car Men when pronounced with an English accent (ie Men who have something to do with Cars).

[itsohsoquiet]

Easy to pronounce but not too common. Yes I like Carmen but not Carmel which just makes me think of caramel.
I have known a couple of English Carmen's and don't think it odd wigeon

[meditrina]

I really like it but would think hard about what it would be like to live with - my first thought was the brand of rollers, then generally garage mechanics.

[darleneoconnor]

love it

[Wigeon]

I think it's because my Spanish penpal when I was at school was called Carmen....

[truthisinthewine]

Thanks for all your opinions. Glad it isn't hated at least....not that it would have changed my mind I don't think.

DH's family live in Spain, and mine are originally from Italy with an Italian surname (although me and DH are both British born)

[SilkStalkings]

Love it, it's a real diva name. Also like Cleo for the same reason.

[SilkStalkings]

Carmel is French for nunnery (as in Carmelites) - bit too worthy for my liking.

[ScarlettIsWalking]

Love it - really do. But feel it's much better for a girl with dark hair and Latin heritage which you have.

[babycarmen]

Carmen is my 3yr olds name and i love it :D

[crestico]

All I can think now is "where on Earth is Carmen San Diego" .... ugh... have the theme tune stuck in my head

Also... Carmel... Caramel... hmmm.... no.

Sorry babycarmen :'(

[crestico]

Or even worse than Caramel... Camel... +toe.... :-(
poor little girl

[babycarmen]

Each to their own :) Im not a fan of carmel though and definitely not camel!!

[Bucharest]

I think you have enough connections with the culture to use it!

I like it.

[SilkStalkings]

Or just be an opera fan.

[MollyMurphy]

Hmmm. I like it - I haven't met a Carmen in awhile.

[MollyMurphy]

I will add that I think Carmel is awful though.

[otchayaniye]

My 2-1/2 year old is called Carmen. After her paternal grandmother (I'm also 1/4 Spanish) Her middle name is Lois after my mother.

I liked it as it has a family connection, isn't trisyllabic, and doesn't end in 'a'. Everyone can pronounce it. Plus my now-deceased father used to take me to Carmen every time it was on in London.

I know one Carmel. She's a lovely Irish friend and it really suits her.

I've never come across another child called Carmen, but it's not 'de trop' in my opinion.

Should add that we are both dark, husband particularly Spanish looking, but our daughter is dark blond (olive skinned and hazel eyed) and it still suits. I say this as some people reckon it can only go with Hispanic looking children. Rubbish!