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Baby names

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Original poster

Carmen?

39 replies

PurpleVioletBlue · 16/08/2022 22:47

Thoughts on Carmen?

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AmandaMirandaPanda · 18/08/2022 02:41

It sounds.very American.

Well, it's Latin (carmen = song) and it's been carried forward as is into many "romance" languages (Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Romanian, French - and Carme in Catalan) and in some Germanic languages (English, German) and some Slavic languages (Croatian, Polish, Slovene) and for some reason in Estonian (see also: Carmen Kass). But I think it's most strongly associated with Spanish, which is very widely spoken in most of the countries of the Americas. So yes, it IS an American name, among many other things!

Use it if you love it, OP. I have to admit, apart from the opera, my first association is "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?"

Butterbeer4All · 18/08/2022 02:09

I like it

Appleblum · 18/08/2022 01:36

I like it! It makes me think of a very strong independent woman.

BlueKaftan · 18/08/2022 01:29

Fabulous name

BanditBluey · 18/08/2022 00:58

I couldn't because i immediately think of Carmen Electra. It sounds.very American. I prefer Carla or Cara

Enko · 18/08/2022 00:21

Beautiful

Luredbyapomegranate · 18/08/2022 00:11

Whyaretheynotdoinganything · 16/08/2022 23:50

@Luredbyapomegranate do you mean Mary Magdalene? I’m struggling to think of a famous prostitute named Madeleine but take your point, most people won’t think of it!

@Whyaretheynotdoinganything

I do. It’s the same name, and the two versions sound close enough, and Madeleine has enough of a Catholic vibe, that I think lots of people would know there was an association, but never stops anyone using it.

FlamingoDust · 17/08/2022 21:49

Really like it!

PicketRingFenced · 17/08/2022 17:36

I hate it because I've never liked the Carmen's I've met. They're just very irritating and annoying

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 17/08/2022 10:23

Are you thinking of Leona Lewis? as it’s not carmen it’s Carmel which I think is nicer

A family member is a Carmelite nun, so Carmel would be a No for me.

Plus it's too much like Caramel.

Strugglingtodomybest · 17/08/2022 08:19

I really like it!

Darkness22 · 17/08/2022 08:17

Made me think Electra too.

DuchessOfSausage · 17/08/2022 08:16

I like it. Fairly unusual and a refreshing change from all the Ellie, Evie, Belle, Lily type names

Dreamingcats · 17/08/2022 08:14

Love it. Dramatic and strong.

Orphlids · 17/08/2022 07:06

I love it. So refreshingly unfrilly. Sounds strong and elegant. And the operatic character is great! Met a sticky end, but don’t they all? I’d be chuffed to meet a little Carmen.

sashh · 17/08/2022 03:51

Whyaretheynotdoinganything · 16/08/2022 22:55

Makes me think of Bizet’s Opera ‘Carmen’ which I love, but the titular character is a prostitute, so I wouldn’t choose it for this reason. It’s the most popular opera (and even if you’ve never seen it, you’ll definitely know half the music!)

My thoughts were 'The opera', I don't recognise Carmen being a prostitute though, but it's been a while since i have seen it.

My second thought was hairdryers and heated rollers.

LooneyToon · 17/08/2022 02:12

Agree Carmel is much better.. carmen is bit masculine

MarmadukeSpillageEsquire · 17/08/2022 01:32

Love it. Knew one once who was firey but in a good way, lovely with it.

Aria999 · 17/08/2022 01:25

It makes me think of Carmina Burana.

I did consider it actually but decided against for some of the reasons given ('car-men')

I prefer Carmina

Thatboymum · 17/08/2022 01:17

my dm is a carmen and absolutley hates her name to this day, I love it she is a strong willed very intelligent successful career driven woman. My sisters boyfriends toddler is also a carmen and she gets so many compliments on her name and it really suits her

FlyingSaucerss · 17/08/2022 01:07

Rowen32 · 16/08/2022 22:54

Someone famous called their baby that last week, cannot remember who!

Are you thinking of Leona Lewis? as it’s not carmen it’s Carmel which I think is nicer

goingtotown · 17/08/2022 00:45

Carmel is nicer.

Jemimapinotduck · 17/08/2022 00:32

Electra

felulageller · 17/08/2022 00:22

I really like it.

OneFootintheRave · 17/08/2022 00:20

Love it.