Clara - I'm having second thoughts at 35 weeks...

[JaffaSnaffle]

Having been adamant for months that I want to call my second daughter Clara, I'm having a last minute wobble.

I still think it is a lovely name, but I'm worrying that it sounds a bit hard and grown up.

Also, I have an acquaintance, who is quite an opinionated pushy mum, and her daughter is called Lara. Is she going to think I'm sort of copying her?

[shoppingtrolley]

Don't worry at all about Lara's mum!
Clara is a beautiful name. You can call her Clarey too, which is really lovely and a bit softer.

[JaffaSnaffle]

Thank you. I think it is just last minute nerves. I am still worried about Lara's mum though!

[Beamur]

It's a lovely name.
Doesn't matter what the other woman thinks.

[Pancakeflipper]

You could call her Clara and then use Clarry as nickname and see if your friend follows suit and calls her daughter Larry ?

[TheCountessOlenska]

Clara is lovely - good choice!

[rooted]

I have a 2 year old Clara, I obviously love the name and gets lots of compliments on it. Her sister can't quite pronounce her name and calls her lala which is cute too. I don't think it is too grown up a name but a name that will age well with her.

[septemberpie]

It's a beautiful name and was my second choice for dd. I think it is a good thing to give a name that will grow up with your child. Some names sound lovely for a little girl but perhaps not so great for an adult!

[TheWave]

I really like Clara too.

[YouMayLogOut]

Clara is a lovely name :) I think it suits all ages.

Don't even think about the acquaintance, her opinion is really not relevant.

[tiredteddy]

Clara is beautiful. I'm trying also to think and choose a name that will be long term suitable for our dd. many girls names seem too cutesy and suitable for little girls. I have my heart set on Fern for our dd. quite grown up too. But babies become their names as their little personalities emerge. Clara is a beautiful strong name and also that of my favourite dolly when I was little!

[LegArmpits]

Aw, yes, go on. It suited me then and it suits me still now! (And there's not many of us.)

[WizardofOs]

It is a very pretty name and I would not say it is at all hard or grown-up but she will be a grown-up far longer than she is a child.

I see stacks of babies in my job and have not come across another Clara so it is not too popular either.

[whatinthewhatnow]

Clara is a lovely name, not hard at all, but a lovely girl's name and a beautiful woman's name. I loved it and it was on my list for DD.

[lakeofshiningwaters]

Love it, go with it. Imaginary dd2 is called Clara

[ICutMyFootOnOccamsRazor]

I love Clara and if dp's ex hadn't been Clare I would have definitely short-shortlisted it for dd.

Go for it.

[Dogsmom]

My Aunt was Clara, it was pronounced 'Clair-a' so is dissimilar to Lara.

[A1980]

Oh how lovely: she will be born near Christmas and it reminds me of Clara from the Nutcracker Ballet. It's great!

[nappyaddict]

Are you pronouncing it like Claire with an A on the end or like Lara with a C at the beginning?

[JaffaSnaffle]

Like Lara with a C at the beginning

[elizaregina]

i used to want to be called clara after Heidi childrens tv series when i was little, her gorg friend was called clara.

[LegArmpits]

The pronunciation would be your only sticking point. Mine is said the same as Dogsmom's Aunt, but people ALWAYS say it the other way. Either way is lovely though.

[ThePieWhoLovedMe]

Lovely name - forget about the Lara, life is too short. If you are really having second thoughts how about Carla, Carrie Callee or Carly.

[quirrelquarrel]

One of my favourite names when I was little.....very distinguished and clean sounding!

[Metronomy]

I love Clara. It's pretty, yet strong. Timeless! Don't worry about the Lara thing; they are different names, just happen to rhyme.

[RightUpMyRue]

It's a very pretty name

I wouldn't give Lara another thought.