Clara - just exactly how popular is it?

[mrsnoname]

I can see that it gets mentioned a lot on MN, but how many (under 5yrs) do you know?

We've shortlisted this name nearly six yrs ago and now have a chance to use it, but I'm being put off by it gaining popularity so rapidly as it is predicted here on MN.

[purepurple]

I don't know any under 5s and have never known any.

[robincousins]

i don't know any under 5s know plenty of caras in my area (scotland)

there were 20 registered in scotland in 2010 if that helps , so definitely not very popular and allong way to go to become so .

if you love it use it . if you choose another name which the rockets in popularity while clara remains static or declines you may well regret not using your first choice .

it's a lovely name would have been on my list for dd had dh not vetoed it for some bizarre reason.

[twentyfivefrancs]

None

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Don't know a single one either under or over 5 years. Think it is a lovely name too.

[chocolatelover1234]

I work in childcare and have done for 8 years and i don't know any Clara's. Its a very pretty name if you like it use it .

[MelinaM]

I know of none ...well only my great aunt

It's a beautiful name

[valiumbandwitch]

I don't know of any, although I know an Teddy who would have been a Clara!

[MercurySoccer]

I don't know any - it's suggested all the time on MN though and I do like it.

[pilates]

don't know any - its lovely btw.

[Jamiesmagictorch]

I have one! I love it, I only know one other about the same age 6 in the area so think still quite unpopular.

[nannyj]

I know 2. I'm in London.

[mrsnoname]

Thanks for your input, it looks quite encouraging so far. The other name we have in mind is not likely to gain popularity but has the disadvantage of rhyming with DD1's name. We generally like unpopular but not unusual names.
Do you think rhyming names for siblings are a no-no? We also have a son, so it wouldn't just be the two girls.

[BuntyPenfold]

None at all, of any age.

[moodymary]

I don't know a single Clara in RL but think it's a lovely name. It was on my shortlist but DH vetoed unfortunately! In answer to your second question, I wouldn't choose rhyming names for siblings unless I really couldn't think of an alternative that I liked as much.

[NorkilyChallenged]

I know one, am in SE England

Have to say I'm put off my favourite boy's name just now to avoid rhyming sibling names...

[MadameCastafiore]

I know one in Essex - one grown up one who's name was spelt Clara but she insisted on being called Calira - pissed me off because I always said her name right but she insisted that it was wrong!

[hmmSleep]

I know one nearly 5 yr old. Lovely name, was on my shortlist for Dd2.

[MsChanandlerBong]

I know one baby Clara, and one adult Clara. And I think it is a lovely name - and not overused at all.

I would say go for Clara seeing as you have loved that name for a while. This would then mean you can also avoid having a rhyming name with DD1, which is beneficial!

[speakercorner]

I don't know any Claras, and I love this name. It was high on my list but DH hates it.

[mypersonalfavourite]

I'min SW London where there are millions according to mn. I only know my dd and nursery commented on how many years it's been since they had one (and this is a nursery with lots of 'London' names.

I think it didn't change in popularity much between 2008 and 2009. About 230 on the list iirc.

[diggingintheribs]

I had this on my list but DH ruled it out as 'it's a common name for a cow in Germany'! I think it's pretty though (lucky cows!)

On a side note, are the 2010 stats out?

[mypersonalfavourite]

It's really really popular in Germany now and is on many top 10 lists in Europe. 2010 out very late in the year I think.

[wasabipeanut]

I have one - never met another! Although several people have told me they have great aunts called Clara.

[diggingintheribs]

Ha - I'll have to tell him that (he hasn't lived there for over 20 years - maybe the cows have new names!!)

[OnEdge]

Its my middle name, very cool !