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Baby names

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

Original poster

Caroline or Isabelle?

56 replies

MariaIrene · 15/11/2023 14:46

Thoughts on both names? Which do you prefer?

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DuchessOfSausage · 06/01/2024 17:13

The Isobel spelling seems very popular on here. It's not that popular in general (but I'm looking at the England & Wales data)
Isabel is probably the most widely used spelling, but in the UK it seems to be Isabelle.

peaceinourtime · 06/01/2024 15:17

I love the spelling Isobel with the o not an a.

35andThriving · 25/11/2023 22:08

I like both.

I think Isabelle fits in this generation a bit better. She might feel a little bit like she has a "mum name" if you call her Caroline. Also, could get a bit tiresome if people started singing that Sweet Caroline song at her. I do like Caroline a lot though.

In summary, if I was naming myself I'd use Caroline, as I prefer it slightly. However, for a little girl born today I'd use Isabelle, as it's nice and wouldn't be a burden in any way.

Chocolate101 · 23/11/2023 20:35

I actually have an Isobel (preferred this spelling) and Caroline is on our list for this baby so I love both 😊

DuchessOfSausage · 20/11/2023 08:55

@Snugglemonkey , I have.
The Carol decided for herself at primary school. The Countess of Derby is a Cazzy. Cags was another nn when I was at school.

Charbel and Charbella seem a bit like Cinderella.
Astrobelle would be nn Astroturf

Snugglemonkey · 20/11/2023 08:46

user1492757084 · 20/11/2023 03:26

Caroline is not popular. Isabelle is very much so.
Do you like ..
Carrie
Carolina
Charbella
Charbel
Carabelle
Karabella
Astrobelle
Arabella
Caela
Carlotta

Astrobelle? Seriously, most of these just look made up.

Snugglemonkey · 20/11/2023 08:45

Singleandproud · 18/11/2023 10:14

Caroline is nice but I hate Caz and Carol for nicknames so would avoid

Isabelle will forever have to explain which variation to use, although Izzy, Belle are better nicknames

I have never heard Caz or Carol being used as nicknames for Caroline.

DuchessOfSausage · 20/11/2023 08:38

@user1492757084 , Do you like ..
Carrie
Carolina
Charbella
Charbel
Carabelle
Karabella
Astrobelle
Arabella
Caela
Carlotta

Are Charbella, Charbel, Carabelle, Karabella, Astrobelle and Caela names? They look wrong.

bloodyeffinnora · 20/11/2023 04:28

Caroline is awful

junbean · 20/11/2023 03:32

Caroline! It was on my list for my last baby. I thought I'd go for Isabelle but it's become one of the most popular names (in the US) and I had a common name as a child (I changed it as an adult) and didn't want all of my daughter's peers to have the same name as I did. I ended up going by my last name is school. Having a popular name is the worst in my opinion. Carolina is also very nice!

user1492757084 · 20/11/2023 03:28

Carla is is smart

user1492757084 · 20/11/2023 03:27

Cally is sweet.

user1492757084 · 20/11/2023 03:26

Caroline is not popular. Isabelle is very much so.
Do you like ..
Carrie
Carolina
Charbella
Charbel
Carabelle
Karabella
Astrobelle
Arabella
Caela
Carlotta

Pthalo · 20/11/2023 00:09

Caroline.

I don’t like the nickname Izzy.

arlequin · 19/11/2023 22:16

Callie is a lovely nickname for Caroline

Lochness1975 · 19/11/2023 22:01

The 3 people I know who are called Caroline get called Carol for short which I think is old, frumpy and dated <yes Aunty Carol I’m looking at you> Isobel is much prettier

Whiskerson · 19/11/2023 19:48

Caroline is a bit more interesting nowadays, kind of understated and elegant. I haven't met very many and don't associate it with a particular era.

I do think Caz is inevitable - wouldn't put me off at all, but in case you are picky about potential nicknames.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 18/11/2023 18:54

I prefer Isabelle to Caroline but love Callie as a shortening for Caroline so would go for Caroline to use that

Singleandproud · 18/11/2023 10:14

Caroline is nice but I hate Caz and Carol for nicknames so would avoid

Isabelle will forever have to explain which variation to use, although Izzy, Belle are better nicknames

Firebird83 · 18/11/2023 10:10

Caroline is lovely.

JanewaysBun · 17/11/2023 12:29

Caroline
The world doesn't need another Isabelle, DS will refer to one in his class and I have no idea which one he's talking about, even witb different nicknames.

Or Isolde? I wasnt brave enough but it's beautiful

Nomnomnom66 · 17/11/2023 11:25

Caroline. As a teacher I can say that isabelle and Olivia are the most over-used names.

cheleuh · 16/11/2023 07:05

Isabelle. It's a beautiful name with lovely nickname options too. Caroline sounds a bit dated to me.

RedCoffeeCup · 16/11/2023 03:49

I love both (prefer Isobel spelling). Carrie is a nice nickname.

user1492757084 · 16/11/2023 03:27

Caroline - Carrie, Caro

Do you like ..
Isotta
Isolde
Iona
Isolette
Isolina