Baby name decision

[JasonWaterfalls]

Hi all

Dsis recently passed 20 weeks and is brainstorming girl baby names at the moment, think she’s fixed on one of two variants of Charlotte, either Charlotta or Carlotta. Doesn’t seem much in it to me but she’s agonising about the extra h enough I thought I’d ask good old MN. Sometimes you can be so close to something you lose perspective! Anyone here have thoughts?

Well the extra 'h' as you put it makes a difference to how people would read/say it - so what pronunciation is she after?

Carlotta = Kar-lotta
Charlotta = either Shar-lotta or Char-lotta (depending on whether you 'see' Charlotte first, or Charles)

Well, I don’t think she minds about the sound as they both sound nice enough, (I think the CH sound is ‘Sharlotta’ in her head) but is wondering whether Carlotta is too ‘exotic’ sounding as so many people associate it with Italy although it’s used in lots of European countries like Germany . I like both and am quite laidback but then it isn’t my baby so I have that luxury!

Charlotta looks made up, and Charlotte is very popular.

Carlotta is a bit more exotic and will get shortened

I'd go for Carlotta

There was a peripheral character in LM Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series called Charlotta. As I recall she was a slightly gormless maid. She's the only Charlotta I can think of.

There was an exciting circus girl called Carlotta in Enid Blyton's St Clare's series.

I absolutely rate LM Montgomery as the superior writer but as names go I feel Carlotta definitely has the edge. It has a bit more sparkle.

I have a German friend Charlotte who pronounces her nam Carlotta.
I-have never come across Charlotte.
Carlotta could be shortened to Carly as a nn.

Exactly I think the nicknames are the same anyway, I did tell her no one’s going to think you’re being pretentious with Carlotta it’s a super common version of Charlotte in loads of countries. And even if they do, it’s nothing to do with them!

I always remember the cool circus girl in Enid Blyton too! I’d go for Carlotta without the H.

Carlotta is the more usual form.

Charlotta people really will confuse with Charlotte, and it will annoy the kid for life - like being called Alica or something. (I'm not saying it isn't an established form - I have no idea - but this is how it will read in the UK.)

Charlotta would have more nicknames - so she could try out different nn growing up. But if you don't like nicknames I would go for Carlotta

Which shortened versions of the names does she like best?

I much prefer Carlotta. Charlotta looks made up and even autocorrected to Charlotte on my phone! I'd worry she'd get Charlotte all her life. I also wouldn't automatically shorten Carlotta, but if I did I do like Lottie as a nn (which works for both I guess!)

I think Lottie or Carly for nicknames so I suppose there’s not much in it there.

I'd go for Carlotta. It's familiar but different. I don't think it's a big deal that you're not Italian - I've met lots of British and Irish Francescas and Gemmas. I've never heard of Charlotta before and it's likely to be confused with Charlotte a lot, which would be annoying for her. (I say that as somebody whose name gets misheard often.)

Carlotta could be Lotta or Callie as well.
I remember EB's Carlotta.

Carlotta

Me too! I named my doll after her 😂

Never heard of the Charlotta version.

I had to fight with my phone to type Charlotta.

Carlotta, while not my cup of tea at all, is better.

Would she consider Carly? Nicer name imo, more laid back vibe.