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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Helena or Claudia?

55 replies

Flowerface · 08/12/2011 12:03

Pleeeease don't say "I hate them both, call her Madison"!!! Xmas Smile

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Original poster
Flowerface · 08/12/2011 20:09

And, I just looked at Clara on past MN threads and there is a huge debate about whether it is Clarrha or Clair-a. I would want it to be the former, but are there NO names that people don't argue about pronunciation with?!?!?! That is one thing in Claudia's favour...

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KatAndKit · 08/12/2011 20:08

I don't think ancient "meanings" of names are all that relevant these days. Or perhaps my parents were engaging in wishful thinking when they gave me a name meaning "pure". I have just looked up Olivia on a website and it means "elf army" apparently, but it is still the most popular girls name. So I wouldn't be put off Claudia by the meaning as most people will be unaware of it.

However, I personally like Helena better.

Original poster
Flowerface · 08/12/2011 20:00

I do like Clara too, but DH is a history lecturer and is put off by the whole Hitler's mother/Mussolini's mistress connection. I think he could be talked round, if necessary.

I would be pronouncing them Helen-a and Clawdia. I think people are less likely to mispronounce the latter? Unless we go to live in Germany? I have thought about that. I think HelAYna would irritate me. And there is the Hel- El- thing to consider, as you say. Hadn't thought of that...

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helendigestives · 08/12/2011 19:00

I like Claudia pronounced 'clawed-ia' but not 'cloud-ia'. Much prefer Helena.

NadiaWadia · 08/12/2011 18:40

Helena is lovely. Claudia is nice, but there is the unfortuate meaning to consider.

GRW · 08/12/2011 18:13

I prefer Helena as I have a DD called Helen.

supermama212 · 08/12/2011 18:08

Claudia is lovely, my best friend is called Helena and i also like that so either or use one for the middle name?

SoFarWeAreEqual · 08/12/2011 17:26

Love Claudia. I think that people may not know how to pronounce Helena (Helen-a or Helayna) and that would annoy me greatly.

MissusO · 08/12/2011 16:04

I have one of each! Claudia's nickname (from her little sis) is Dah, and Helena gets called Nellie. In my very unbiased opinion, I think they are both great names.

MaggieAtwood · 08/12/2011 15:54

I think Claudia works better with Elsa as Helena and Elsa sound too alike to my ear (too much 'El'). And if Elsa ever gets shortened to El then you will have a Nell and and El......rhyming siblings isn't a good idea lol.

How about Clara Josephine? I think Elsa and Clara are lovely together.

Original poster
Flowerface · 08/12/2011 15:29

I have thought about the meaning of Claudia but it doesn't much bother me, because I have only done very minimal Latin. In fact, it may be a point in its favour: MIL was a Classics teacher, and it would be a good way of irritating her!

I would like the MN to be Josephine, which is my Mum's name.

Def. Helen-a rather than Hel-ay-na, though.

Do quite like Serena. It makes me think of tennis players, which isn't necessarily a bad thing I suppose! But maybe Elsa and Serena is too much 's'.

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TwoPlates · 08/12/2011 14:55

Oh i see. Thank you tammy

tammytoby · 08/12/2011 14:52

Claudia is a latin name derived from the latin word claudus/clauda:

claudus m. (feminine clauda, neuter claudum):
1.limping, lame
2.crippled
3.halting, wavering, uncertain

It has been fairly popular in Germany in the 70s and is pronounced Clowd-ia, rather than Claw-dia as it seems to be pronounced in the UK.

TwoPlates · 08/12/2011 14:44

Both lovely. I prefer Hellena.
What is the meaning of Claudia? Isn't it a German name?

ImpYCelynAndTheIvy · 08/12/2011 14:25

I really like them both. Hmm, I think Helena would be my choice though. The meaning of Claudia would put me off a little.

tammytoby · 08/12/2011 14:13

I agree about the meaning of Claudia - having studied Latin I just see lame/disabled when I hear/see the name. Shame as it is a nice name otherwise.

Helena is lovely thought.

scarlettlips · 08/12/2011 14:11

Claudia Claudia Claudia Claudia Claudia Claudia Claudia....

think i've casted my voted!!

AnaisB · 08/12/2011 14:10

The meaning of Claudia would put me off (says she who is considering Cecilia - blind).

GwendolineMaryLacedwithBrandy · 08/12/2011 14:09

Helena is beautiful. Don't like Claudia.

Am beginning to think MNetters only tell you what you want to hear tbh. I started a thread a while ago asking about Helena and everyone adored it. Where are they now? Xmas Confused

LaFilleSurLePont · 08/12/2011 14:08

Definitely Claudia. I don't like Helena at all.

hellokitty123 · 08/12/2011 14:03

The meaning of Claudia (lame, disabled from the Latin Claudus) would unfortunately put me off, sorry.

I do like Helena, pronlunced Hell-enna (not Hel-Ayna).

ChippingInNeedsSleep · 08/12/2011 12:54

Claudia x 1 million votes :)

minciepie · 08/12/2011 12:52

I much prefer Helena as a name.

I do think Claudia goes a little better with Elsa though, otherwise you have a lot of "EL" sounds.

What about Serena? (my current favourite girl's name)

GlaikitFizzEggNog · 08/12/2011 12:49

I know a very lovely little girl called Claudia Helen!

I prefer Claudia with Elsa though. Do you have a MN already?

Original poster
Flowerface · 08/12/2011 12:47

They both go fine with the SN. I suppose NNs would be Claudie or Nell. DD is called Elsa, if that makes any difference?

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