Caelin or Caelinn?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2007
Caelin or Caelinn?
19
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 10:13am
This is a little-known Irish name. My husband is from Dublin and we have our hearts set on a real Irish name, but sometimes they are a bit too unwieldy for the average American. Can you tell how this name is pronounced and/or if it's for a boy or a girl? I've adjusted the spelling, as the proper Irish way (Caoilainn) is just way too much for a kid growing up in the US!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2004
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 10:27am

I love the name Caelian,though I don't know if that is an actual name, or a variation of a name.

I pron the above name, Ky-li-ann
I would pron. yours Ky-lynn

good luck

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2007
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 10:55am

I would prounounce it KAY-lyn.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2007
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 12:39pm

I know a Kailynn and it is pronounced the irish way (kay - LYNN). I like this name a lot, however, the K and C names are overwhelming right now.

But, that being said, most other Irish names are unweildy, like you said, and this one is at least pronouncable when you see it (even written as you had it spelled).

If you and DH love it, just correct people when they see it. I also know a Siobhan (sha-VONNE) and she's constantly correcting people but LOVES her name more than anything.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2006
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 1:22pm

I think the Caelin spelling is better. I'd pron. it KAY-lynn, and assume it was a girl.

HTH!

Liz

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2004
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 1:27pm
hello!! i would pronounce it kay-lynn...and it sounds like a girls name. its sounds really close to kaitlynn...which is pretty popular at least in my neck of the woods...take care!!
joanne
maman2goons@yahoo.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 3:01pm

Caoilainn is a variation of the masculine name Caoilfhionn, and both are pronounced KEE-lin or KEEL-in, NOT like the feminine name Kay+Lynn. Just like Caoilte is said KEEL-che, rather than KAYLT or KAYLTU, as it might appear to those unfamiliar with it. So while it's obvious many would have difficulty pronouncing the Gaelic spelling on the first attempt, it also follows that "Caelin(n)" wouldn't be said that way either (nor should it, since you've entirely lost the Caoi- beginning that gives the KEE sound).


That said, kay-lynn, no matter the spelling, is part of the whole K-sound and -lyn ending trends at the moment, so it's not unheard of by any stretch, and like most other trendy names, there are plenty of spelling variations out there, so most wn't bat an eye at either of those. It will generally be assumed girl, as you've probably noticed.


If that's the name you like, there's nothing wrong with that, but it certainly loses a substantial amount of authenticity and history/heritage in the process. I only mention this because of the comment about your dh being from Dublin and wanting a "real Irish name," because Caelinn/Cailin/Caylin/Cailynn/Kaylin/Kailin/Kaylynn etc. will come across as anything but.


Some names with similar sounds/feels that aren't as problematic (pronunciation or gender-wise) ...



  • Cailin/Colleen
  • Cliona
  • Clodagh
  • Ciara
  • Cullen
  • Callahan
  • Cillian
  • Callum
  • Colm (Malcolm or Columba)
  • Conall
  • Cian
  • Ciaran

You might also find this web site useful. All Irish names, complete with proper pronunciations and, often, even Anglicizations. http://www.babynamesofireland.com/


HTH ;)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-07-2007
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 3:28pm
I have a friend with that name but her's is spelt Caillin.
Dee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2005
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 3:34pm

Caelin of those two, but I prefer Kaelin as I see that the most. No matter what spelling you choose, it will get misspelled.

-Nikki
http://destastory.blogspot.com/


                             
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2004
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 5:37pm

My niece's name is from the same root name - she's Cailyn (Rose) and they pronounce it Kay-lin.

I would assume either of your versions would be pronounced the same way.

Erin
mommy to Elisabeth Alice (4//25/04)


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 05-16-2007 - 11:20pm
I would pronounce it key-lin. But I'm very stubborn about pronouncing "ae" as a long e. It's like the traditional spellings of words like archaeology, orthopaedic and encyclopaedia. I'm sure that most people would pronounce it kay-lin though (which I consider to be somewhat popular/trendy).

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