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Baby names

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Original poster

Caledonia?

57 replies

Milkchocolatealmonds · 09/06/2021 22:01

What are your thoughts on Caledonia?

I'm Scottish but living overseas. My preference for names is slipping into the territory of names that would have felt too much in Scotland...Hamish, Angus etc. Am probably homesick!

Caledonia I'm liking a lot but is it a bit much?

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emmathedilemma · 10/06/2021 17:25

I actually came across a Caledonia a few days ago! I don't know if she uses her full name or Callie as a nn. It's a bit too much for me. Alba would be nice for a girl.
I don't think there's anything wrong with Hamish or Angus, there's plenty of young ones around in Scotland.

Terrazzo · 10/06/2021 14:51

Omg love it!

Dannyandsandy · 10/06/2021 14:50

Oh jeez, sounds like the soft drink we used to get in the pubs in Ireland- Cidona

Torvean · 10/06/2021 14:48

Iseabail is Gaelic for Isabel, or Mairi, Eilidh , Mirren?

thelittlestrhino · 10/06/2021 14:34

I have taught a Caledonia (in Scotland). Lovely child, and I was never aware of any nonsense involving her name.

Serpenta · 10/06/2021 14:16

Hamish is slightly 'I am posh and own 10,000 acres in the Highlands and love a bit of grouse shooting' but very useable. Angus is a pretty standard name.

midsomermurderess · 10/06/2021 14:13

Names like Hamish and Angus aren't too much in Scotland though. Caledonia reminds me of that mawkish ad I'm coming home'.

Fundays12 · 10/06/2021 14:02

I think it's a lovely name for a country not a child. Not sure what you are having OP but what about the following?

Kyle
Lewis
Harris
Arran
Brodie

Iona
Isla
Skye
Eileen (pronounced Aileen)

LaCerbiatta · 10/06/2021 13:57

Reminds me of this

lots33 · 10/06/2021 13:55

It’s also the title of a fabulous Amy McDonald

Serpenta · 10/06/2021 13:54

@daisypond

I rather like it… I am see if you’re in Scotland it might be a bit much, but as you’re not, I think it’s fine. I can’t see it’s much different to naming your child Erin.
It would be the equivalent of calling your child Hibernia. Not Erin.
4PawsGood · 10/06/2021 13:50

What’s your logic behind Hamish and Angus being too much? I live in Scotland and they are normal around here.

TheVanguardSix · 10/06/2021 13:47

It’s a bit nationalistic but then there’s America Fererra.

PattyPan · 10/06/2021 13:42

Only if you are Nicola Sturgeon

daisypond · 10/06/2021 13:39

I rather like it… I am see if you’re in Scotland it might be a bit much, but as you’re not, I think it’s fine. I can’t see it’s much different to naming your child Erin.

GodolphinHorne · 10/06/2021 13:34

I know a Caledonia. She is always called Callie.

notalwaysalondoner · 10/06/2021 13:30

Makes me think of a train line. I'd go with Skye, Alba, or traditional names like Mhairi.

RaspberryCoulis · 10/06/2021 08:04

@ILoveShula

But Iona doesn't offer any scope for multiple nicknames, only Yoni or Ione, whereas Caledonia offers many and will be so cool when she is a High Court Judge/Headteacher/MP....
DD has a friend called Iona and her nickname is Gus.

Nicknames aren't always shortened/lengthened versions of a name.

Throughtheday · 10/06/2021 02:02

Caledonia might be a bit much but I love Callie.

Also Morven, wish I could have justified calling DD Morven but I’m not remotely Scottish.

ILoveShula · 10/06/2021 00:29

But Iona doesn't offer any scope for multiple nicknames, only Yoni or Ione, whereas Caledonia offers many and will be so cool when she is a High Court Judge/Headteacher/MP....

Gothichouse40 · 10/06/2021 00:26

Caledonia is a bit OTT. Apart from this I cannot imagine a 70 year old lady called Caledonia going down the shops. As some one suggested, Iona is lovely.

ILoveShula · 10/06/2021 00:25

The song that sprung to my mind was

Puffalicious · 10/06/2021 00:24

There are lots of fabulous Scottish names which are more unusual:

Girls: Muirne (Or Murran/ Mirren for English spelling)/ Morven/ Eilidh (more common but lovely)

Boys: Innes/ Struan/ Lauchlan/ Arran (again last 2 more common but lovely).

HoratioNightboy · 10/06/2021 00:22

There are a lot more little Caledonias in Scotland that you might think! Also many Albas and a few Scotias. These are all girls, but Scotland has been used as a name for a fair few boys, so you're definitely not alone, OP!

Chienloup · 10/06/2021 00:14

How about Tiree?

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