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Baby names

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

Original poster

Charlene

44 replies

Snowbell99 · 13/03/2022 13:58

What about Charlene?

Or the French spelling Charline? I think it looks a bit nicer.

I like them both better than Charlotte. But everyone seems to much prefer Charlotte.

Any idea why?

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Aquamarine1029 · 13/03/2022 14:02

I don't hate it, but I don't like it, either. I don't really care for names that end with an "een" sound.

Cma1988 · 13/03/2022 14:02

My name is Charlene ….I don’t mind my name, I don’t think it’s the greatest name but I’m not ashamed of it either, but I do think it’s very dated now. I’m in my 30s, and only people I have met with my name have been around my age give or take a few years. It was probably because Kylie Monogue’s character was called Charlene in neighbours in the late 80s and early 90s……

I think Charlotte is better nowadays

toastofthetown · 13/03/2022 14:03

@Aquamarine1029

I don't hate it, but I don't like it, either. I don't really care for names that end with an "een" sound.
This is pretty much exactly how I feel too.
DoorLion · 13/03/2022 14:04

I prefer Charlotte because Charlene is so whiny. Charleeeeeeeene.
Also massive 80s Neighbours association.
I knew a Charlette once but she was always getting mistaken for Scarlett or Charlotte.

girlmom21 · 13/03/2022 14:05

I don't like Charlene

GeneLovesJezebel · 13/03/2022 14:06

I can’t say or think it without putting an Australian accent on.

Meecrowavay · 13/03/2022 14:06

Charlene sounds very eighties to me.

AHungryCaterpillar · 13/03/2022 14:07

I don’t like it

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 13/03/2022 14:08

Sorry @Snowbell99 agree with those who have said dated and whiny sounding.

I really wouldn't!

ISmellBurnings · 13/03/2022 14:09

I don’t like it. The only Charlene I know calls herself Leni. I don’t like the Leeeeeeeen sound either.

It’s very 80s.

MermaidEyes · 13/03/2022 14:10

I think anyone above a certain age will just associate it with Neighbours. As long as you don't have a boy called Scott....

SoonbeSpringtime · 13/03/2022 14:14

I've never known a real life Charlene so my frame of reference is Kylie Minogue's Neighbours character, although that's such a long time ago now.

More recently there's Princess Charlene of Monaco, but she's dogged by health problems and seems such a sad figure. I think that puts me off.

By contrast Charlotte has been used for centuries and suits women of all occupations and ages. I don't like the abbreviation Shar though, so would take steps to choose something else. I do like the Italian form, Carlotta, but not sure if I'd use it myself.

Original poster
Snowbell99 · 13/03/2022 14:19

I never watched Neighbours.

To me -een names sound quite nice. I also like Aideen (Éadaoin). I like Aisling pronounced ASH-leen.

I thought it would do a bit better with Charlie being such a popular nickname.

But yes, I understand its problems :( It is more dated.

OP posts:
Cma1988 · 13/03/2022 14:21

Just to say (as a 80s born Charlene) - all the posters saying they don’t like the ‘Leeeeeeen’ sound - I don’t actually say my name with the emphasis on the ‘Lene’ but actually more emphasis on the ‘Char’ so it is similar to Charlotte .

sweetbellyhigh · 13/03/2022 14:58

It's a darn sight better than Faylene which was the name of a woman in a documentary I saw last night. I mean, why not just call her Failing

KylieCharlene · 13/03/2022 15:02

@girlmom21

I don't like Charlene
Whatever have I done to you?!Grin
Kitkat151 · 13/03/2022 15:03

It’s not a great name OP...loads of names out there...don’t pick this one

CremeEggThief · 13/03/2022 15:06

Are you in Ireland, OP?
I grew up with a few (all born late 70s/very early 80s) and in my part of Ireland, it was pronounced more like SHIRleeeeeen. Might be relevant.

Original poster
Snowbell99 · 13/03/2022 15:20

Oh, a bit sad that many people dislike it :(

Is -een dated in general to you?

Would Aideen (AY-deen) and Aisling (ASH-leen) sound dated to you too?

Aideen is an anglicisation of Éadaoin, Irish.

No I am not in Ireland at the moment but moving there is a possibility because of my employer.

OP posts:
Comedycook · 13/03/2022 15:21

I think it's nice...certainly sounds nicer in a French accent!

girlmom21 · 13/03/2022 15:29

@Snowbell99

Oh, a bit sad that many people dislike it :(

Is -een dated in general to you?

Would Aideen (AY-deen) and Aisling (ASH-leen) sound dated to you too?

Aideen is an anglicisation of Éadaoin, Irish.

No I am not in Ireland at the moment but moving there is a possibility because of my employer.

I think both of those names are awful too. Maybe it is the 'een' sound. I'd never really considered it but I can't think of a name I like that ends 'een'. It is a bit 80s isn't it, thinking about it now.
Lilaclavenders · 13/03/2022 15:33

I like it. Reminds me of Charlene of Monaco

CremeEggThief · 13/03/2022 15:34

I personally love Aisling, because I know several and most of them are lovely people. It might be seen as a slightly old-fashioned name for a baby now, but so what if you like it?

drawingpad · 13/03/2022 15:36

@ISmellBurnings

I don’t like it. The only Charlene I know calls herself Leni. I don’t like the Leeeeeeeen sound either.

It’s very 80s.

Definitely 80s - Neighbours Charlene was known as Lenny

AreSomeGoldfishJustDicks · 13/03/2022 15:39

My name is Charlene. I don't like it. My partner has a nickname for me and if he ever calls me Charlene I cringe 😁 hope that helps.

It's very dated. I wouldn't use it now.