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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Kaelen - suitable for both boys and girls?

40 replies

KellyCZ · 13/06/2011 20:10

Hello :-)

I'm 15 + 3 so don't know baby's sex yet. I love this name for a boy (wanted something gaelic). I can't find anything I like as much as this for a girl. It seems quite unisex to me...could I use it either way?

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WorzselMummage · 20/06/2011 01:04

Reminds me of Jayden/Kayden/Braden and that is not good.

sorchatallulah · 20/06/2011 00:57

I know a Caoimhe who doesn't have much trouble with her name and she lives in Liverpool (although there is quite a large Irish population there!)

Another option could be Ciara. Starts with the KEY sound, it's Irish, and at least it's intuitive, pronunciation-wise :)

anniekins · 19/06/2011 22:47

Another spelling for you, incase you change your mind. My son is Caylan. We found at least 20 different spellings of this Gaelic name, so pick your favourite. He gets nicknamed Special Cay (cereal!) but he likes that.

Original poster
KellyCZ · 19/06/2011 19:38

Mm that is nice. Would many people really know how to spell it though? I do like it...

OP posts:
sorchatallulah · 16/06/2011 21:30

How about Caoimhe? it's similar, pronounced queeva/keeva and definitely feminine! It's also getting more popular in the UK and people seem to generally know how to say it.

Original poster
KellyCZ · 16/06/2011 17:30

What a negative outlook those babies must grow up to have

OP posts:
Original poster
KellyCZ · 16/06/2011 17:28

It does look lovely with a C, but looks funny with the first surname, which starts Ca also. THIS IS HARD! Ok, I'm going to drop it and try and find something else. Something quite short and also easy for speakers of English, Spanish and Portuguese! Maybe a Prince-style symbol or something. Or "Baby". I actually saw that on a baby names website. Just goes to show really. On the same website "No" and "Not" were also suggested.

OP posts:
dangalf · 15/06/2011 18:07

Caelan was our choice for a boy, think the proper Irish spelling is Caolan. I think it looks a lot nicer this way than with a K.

PatriciatheStripper · 15/06/2011 17:02

Yeah - OP says "I found it on some baby name websites, I didn't make it up."

Someone did, though Grin

pinkytheshrinky · 15/06/2011 16:55

It sounds made up and it is completely dreadful

Hullygully · 15/06/2011 16:53

I know a girl called K-Leen

PatriciatheStripper · 15/06/2011 16:52

Kaolin and morphine. Sorry :)

Dillydollydaydream · 15/06/2011 15:53

My DS is a Caelan I've never met anyone with a son with the same name :)

Hedwig3 · 15/06/2011 11:14

I know a Kaelin who is a girl.

But that doesn't really help.

wigglesrock · 14/06/2011 21:56

Only know Caolan (Kaylin) for a boy. We're in NI and its quite popular here, dd1 goes to school with 3.

midnightexpress · 14/06/2011 20:31

If half of the family is Spanish/Brazilian, I'd be wary of using a difficult-to-spell-and-pronounce Gaelic name. Wouldn't it be better to choose something that works well across the cultures in both sides of the family?

Fimbo · 14/06/2011 20:27

I know a Kaylen, female but not from the UK,

CaramelFreddo · 14/06/2011 20:25

I know a boy and a girl named that.
Caolan for the boy and Keelin for the girl.

Jezabelle · 14/06/2011 19:06

7 syllables?! Blimey!

Yes, go for Bob!

Original poster
KellyCZ · 13/06/2011 22:16

My goodness. Poor baby already has 15 letters (7 syllables) in surname so Caoilfhionn, though beautiful, might be a bit unfair! And first surname starts Ca. Wish I'd married a Smith!

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sorchatallulah · 13/06/2011 21:45

Caolán is the traditional male spelling and I know two! I also know a male Keelan, although he's aware it's a girls' name (we're in Ireland) and makes a joke out of it! Caoilfhionn would be the right spelling for a girl, and is keel-in/kweel-in rather than kay-lan/kay-lon like the first.

Jezabelle · 13/06/2011 21:39

Caelan with an a before the n is the traditional spelling I believe! Was going to be DC2s name (DH permitting), but DC2 turned out to be a DD!

EricNorthmansMistress · 13/06/2011 21:29

It looks like a girls' name with the K. I'm not a fan of boys' names with random Ks. Caelen is quite nice though.

Original poster
KellyCZ · 13/06/2011 21:20

Maybe I'll go for Bob. Not much room for manoeuvre there.

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pepperrabbit · 13/06/2011 21:05

Good luck finding something that crosses all those cultures Smile