Opinions & middle names for Carmela

[missusaytch]

I heard the name this weekend. Had never really thought of it. I love the sound and the religious reference.

Nameberry's page says Carmela is hopelessly linked with a character on The Sopranos, which surprised me since I never watched that show and knew nothing about the character.

What are your opinions? Associations? Do you agree with Nameberry about the Sopranos?

Also, any middle name ideas? Bonus points if it starts with an M. Super bonus points for a Mar- name I actually like. (I want to use an Mar- name for family reasons but never found one I liked.)

Thanks!

[alzora]

I'm not that fond of Carmela, but I LOVE Carmel. My problem with Carmela (car-MELL-uh?) is that it looks like Carmel at a glance, but then when I notice the "a" at the end, I have to change my pronunciation and stress a syllable that doesn't seem to come out intuitively. Like, I start to say CAR-muhl, but then I have to stop and go back and un-stress the CAR- syllable. I have a distant cousin named Carmel (around 30ish), and I like her name primarily for its association with the candy (in my region we pronounce caramel as the two-syllable "CAR-muhl," exactly like her name). As a Christian I do also appreciate the Mt Carmel association, but I have to confess that it's the nostalgic, sweet candy association that I love about the name. I also love the color of caramel--a warm nature tone. So in short, I don't HATE Carmela, but I am promoting Carmel, which I would love to see used more! Middle name ideas (for Carmela, as per your request):

Carmela Marinda
Carmela Mariska
Carmela Marika
Carmela Marian

[taz]

I love it...but I have great associations with it having known a sweet & sassy older woman with this name!

Never saw Sopranos.

Carmela Masha
Carmela Merida
Carmela Mariska
Carmela Marina
Carmela March
Carmela Morgan
Carmela Marjorie
Carmela Merit
Carmela Maren
Carmela Marlene
Carmela Marietta

[missusaytch]

Thanks!

I have always heard Carmel pronounced kar-MELL. I really don't like it pronounced the other way, honestly.

My husband does not like this name. He thinks it sounds too Spanish or Italian. Same reason he dislikes Lucia. He has nothing against Latin names per se but doesn't think they work on white kids with Scottish surnames. I disagree, I think it's kind of cool. And some of my fave names - like Dolores and Pilar - are Latinate.

My husband is 10 years older than me and, well, a dude. He doesn't really get the new world of more adventurous naming. :-)

[missusaytch]

PS I kind of love Carmela March. I really like March for a girl.

[taz]

I love Carmella March! I was hoping it would stand out to you!

[emmabobemma]

MissUSAY-honaaay! I must say I think Dolores is a stroke of genius. Serious and religious, but also has a spunky vintage side and the nicknames Dolly and Dot.
Carmela, yes I think of the Sopranos, and I hear the name with a Jersey accent. But I'm sure if you named your daughter Carmela she would make the name her own.
Are you looking for something Marian?
Luz
Mercedes (nn Mercy)
Maris
Rosaria
Rocio ("Ro-SEE-o" - from "Mary of the Dew") nn Rose or Rosie of course

[missusaytch]

I am so glad someone agrees with me about Dolores. It's been one of my faves since I was a kid. My husband thinks of it as an old lady name, but maybe I can find a nn he likes. I don't care for Lola or Lolita but there are more options: Dolly, Dori, Lori, Lolo, Dess/Dessie... And more!

I'm not necessarily looking for something Marian but something at least marginally Catholic would be good. I like Mercedes nn Mercy but it is a bit too automotive.

Thanks for your input, bobemma! :-)

[spring13]

I'm under the impression that Carmel is or was a name used in Ireland a lot - i can think of a few Irish book characters named Carmel. It might be old-fashioned there now or something (someone who's actually Irish could chime in on that), but there you go, it's probably not the wildest thing for a kid with a Scottish surname!

I like Carmel w/ emphasis on the 2nd syllable (i pronounce the candy with 3 syllables, so i'd never mix it up with the name), and i don't make the Sopranos connection with Carmela, so i'd say either one is great

[missusaytch]

I can imagine Carmel being used in Ireland a lot, since it's so Catholic.

Same here, btw - I pronounce the candy with 3 syllables. It's my mom's fave and she says KAR-muhl and we always argue about it, ha!

I still think Carmela is a beautiful name but my husband hates it. Ugh! He hates everything. I made him suggest a name once and he came up with Isabella. No kidding. He was completely shocked when I told him it was the #2 name in America. Like I said, he's 43 so popular names to him are Jennifer and Katie. I think he secretly associates Isabella with his long-time "secret" celebrity crush, Isabella Rosselini. Which, you know, in a world of dudes obsessed with Megan Fox or whoever, Isabella Rosselini is not that bad. :-)

So far the only names he admits to liking okay are Tabitha and Miranda, and he tolerates Luna. He has relegated many of my faves - Dolores, Agatha, Carmela - as sounding like "old Italian ladies with mustaches."