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Baby names

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

Original poster

What do you think of Calem?

36 replies

HappyLittleLady · 29/07/2012 10:50

Really struggling for boys names, we both decided on Finley or Finlay but after reading some really nasty comments on some other threads it has kind of but me us off. Hmm

I thought of Caleb first but then DH said how about Calem, I do like it just wondered what others thought as there are no discussions on this name at the minute.

Please be nice lol Grin

Thank you xx

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PrettyInDecadence · 30/07/2012 14:56

Yes I did mean subjective (blame the pregnancy insomnia for that one!). But I really do believe it is. Obviously you can't just go around putting random letters in or completely making something up, but when something has a couple of plausible suggestions how do you decide which one to use? There are so many 'how would you pronounce this name' threads on MN that completely split opinions to prove it. For example Elena, Maya and Calum.

PenisVanLesbian · 30/07/2012 13:30

Do you mean subjective rather than objective? Its not though. There's that pesky english language that has rules about how sounds are made, however much people like to make them up.

Badgerina · 30/07/2012 00:57

Much prefer Finlay.

SPsFanjoSponsorsTheOlympics · 30/07/2012 00:14

That's why I spelt it like that, but with Kai becoming popular people assume its said as kye.

PrettyInDecadence · 30/07/2012 00:11

It's not a mistake as Kailum's the spelling that looks nicest IMO. It's totally objective how you pronounce it and people know how to pronounce names when told unless you're my MIL.

SPsFanjoSponsorsTheOlympics · 30/07/2012 00:09

pretty my son is Kailum but the Kai is pronounced as Kay. totally my mistake

PrettyInDecadence · 30/07/2012 00:01

Caelum is the latin for sky, so Calum has a nice meaning :). Personally I prefer Kailum (pronounced Ky-lum) but Calum is lovely too. I'm not fond of Finlay myself, but it's your choice!

Original poster
HappyLittleLady · 29/07/2012 23:57

We haven't actually heard of Calem before, I have heard of Caleb so when I saw Calem come upon the MN random names tool my DH said that's quite nice, I wasn't sure at first but then thought hmm actually yes it's not to bad, still don't think I am as keen on it as I am Finlay, sorry to all the Finn/Finlay haters lol. Also when Calem came up on the list of names I knew as soon as I saw it how it should be pronounced but can understand what some of you are saying with the Callum thing as I also thought it was a bit too close to Callum but wouldn't pronounce it that way. Thank you all for your help. apart from the one bitch further up, there is always one going to keep thinking and looking at baby names, we have plenty of time really. Have a girls name sorted but boys names are so hard Confused x

OP posts:
BackforGood · 29/07/2012 21:41

I quite like Finley/Finlay too.
I'm with those who would be confused by seeing Calem written somewhere - I'd assume it was a mis-spelling of Callum (having taught a lot of children with names spelt in an, erm, 'creative' way.)
By having the 'e' in it, it would at least make me ask how to pronounce it. That said,I wouldn't want to have to go through life having to tell people how to say my name all the time, so, if you are outside of Ireland then maybe that's something to take into consideration.

tammy234 · 29/07/2012 21:11

Finn has indeed become a little overused imo. About 5 years ago I didn't know a single one and had never heard of the name (only fin was a fish fin to me), but now I know at least 10 little Finns around here. It is only a matter of time before people tire of it and it starts to fall out of favour and sound dated.

Calem is an interesting spelling - but I really like Caleb and Callum.

Heavensmells · 29/07/2012 19:21

Both are really nice names.

Any name that is not an old man/lady name is labelled chavvy on here.

GobblersKnob · 29/07/2012 19:13

Calem looks like a mis-spelling of Callum.

Finns and Finlays are 10 a penny round here, very, very overused.

Lexagon · 29/07/2012 19:09

It's vile.

Dollydowser · 29/07/2012 19:07

Dislike Caleb but really like Finlay.

AndWhenYouGetThere · 29/07/2012 18:54

Caelum is nice, the Calem spelling makes me think you were creatively spelling Callum though.

WithACherryOnTop · 29/07/2012 15:59

I really like it.It's much nicer than any of the 'Finn' names. Finn is overused,and not a particuarly nice name imhho.

thekidsarealright · 29/07/2012 15:10

My friends LO is Caelen....?

SPsFanjoSponsorsTheOlympics · 29/07/2012 15:06

My son is called this but its with the K of doom!

peanutMD · 29/07/2012 14:59

There are lots of Caelem/Caleb's around here but they are nice names, I also know lots of Finn/Finlay/Finbar's.

I prefer Finnan myself.

roteelefant · 29/07/2012 14:55

Finley is lovely.

Calem I don't like. (callum I don't like Caleb is fine)

shoobidoo · 29/07/2012 14:06

I'm not keen on Fin/Finn names, sorry.

Caleb is lovely as us Calem. Both are more 'timeless' than the overused Fin.

VolAuVent · 29/07/2012 11:28

Calem and Caleb both quite nice.

Not keen on Finn names.

cookielove · 29/07/2012 11:20

I love Finlay and Finley i pronounce them differently, also nickname Finn i adore.

I prefer Caleb out of all the C suggestions.

PenguinSalute · 29/07/2012 11:14

I think Finlay's great- but to be honest, there isn't a name
in the world that some people won't criticise- different strokes and all that. As long as you and your DH like it, what's the big deal?

PenisVanLesbian · 29/07/2012 11:11

Its pronounced Cay-lem. It's an old Irish name, nothing odd about it.

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