is claudia getting very popular then?

poppydaisy, do you stalk the baby names boards looking for the opportunity to say unpleasant things about the name Claudia? I've read your posts many times and you always phrase your comment in the same way which makes you recognisable. It's all a bit hand-wringy.

Claudia and the Claudii family existed before the emperor - his lameness inspired the verb claudus not the other way around. Or do you actually believe they called him "lame" and lo and behold he was! What luck.

Claudus might mean lame to you, in Latin, but the girls name Claudia does not mean that. We don't speak Latin. Names mean all sorts when translated into other languages.

Perhaps next time you see a thread with Claudia in it you could just walk on by - no-one cares that you studied a dead language. You sound ridiculous.

Do you get the same bee in your bonnet about other names?

Some names have more obvious meanings than other (and many don't have any real meanings). Claudia happens to be derived directly from the Latin adjective claudus meaning disabled/lame so I'm afraid that is what I see/hear when I see the name. Of course I will not let that affect my view of what is probably a lovely person , but I do think that there are others like me (or perhaps I've studied too much latin?).
Given how many beautiful girls' names are out there, I'd personally choose one without such an obvious unfortunate meaning.

And remember, popular names are popular for a reason : because they are beautiful!!!

After all, some people think Amelia means limbless.

I have a Claudia. We know no others. It's a beautiful name. Stuff meaning, only idiots care for that claptrap.

I want it for my next one!!

Well said HasItStartedYet.

It's like when people insist your son can only be called Rufus if he's red haired. Nonsense. Finn means 'fair', are all the many Finns in the country pale skinned with blonde hair?

here here hasit, I have a Claude and often pondered the meaning issue before naming him but I adore it and it suits him. I didn't know about 'perseverance' though, I shall remember that next time I need to rebuff a detractor ( not that I've had to)

i'm currently expecting and it's on my list - i think it's lovely. glad to hear it's not too popular.

The only thing that would put me off is Claudia Winkleman....

Oh bugger off with your "oh, the meaning!" cats bum rubbish. You seriously think most people give a damn about name meanings? It's irrelevant. Do you seriously think the ancient origin of a name has any bearing on the life or character of a person born in the 21st century? Do you really think you are conferring meaning on your child with the etymology of the name you choose?

Georgia means Farmer.
Andrea means manly.
Rachel means sheep.
Juliet means downy, hairy.
Cameron means crooked nose.

If your name means "close to God" - are you???
Matilda means "mighty in battle" - weird aspiration to have for your DD, no? Actually, cute and is all most people think.

Anyway, there were plenty of women called Claudia living long before the emperor with the bad leg - how do you explain that? Do you really think an entire family (the Claudii) would style themselves after the word lame?

It's a gorgeous, classy name. Much debate about etymology. It also means persevering.

This tool from the Guardian website is really good for checking popularity. I find it clearer than the other site mentioned, which is also good.

I don't think Claudia is popular, haven't heard any babies named Claudia (I'm in London) I know a lot of Claudias but all German and more aged 20-40 bracket!

Thanks!

It's worth bearing in mind that MN is not representative of the population. For instance, people went through a phase of suggesting Ptolomy which I have never heard in real life.

I love Claudia (and am responsible for at least a couple of the threads on it) but don't think it will get like Amelia.

Congratulations CruCru!

It's mentioned on here a lot but only 178 were born last year, so not very popular at all. There are a lot of names mentioned on MN which you'd rarely come across in real life.

I think it's lovely, the meaning wouldn't bother me a jot!

I have a Claudia who was born last Friday. I know 2 others - a three year old who lives in New Zealand and a 50ish American who is global head of HR at a previous client.

It's on our list! Am seriously considering it for DD2....

I absolutely LOVE the name!! My job involved working with newborns and in the 18 months I have been in post I have never come across a baby Claudia

I would love to have it on my list of girl's names but husband said no! grr!

It is such a classic and beautiful name - I'm officially jealous of any woman who has it on their list

Never met one either.

And I agree, the meaning almost stopped me, however, I have a name with a really lovely meaning and I wouldn't say it has particularly enhanced my life..... But I do think that will limit its popularity.

I have one and I was getting mildly worried about its popularity but have yet to meet more than one, despite it being mentioned almost daily on mn.

I'm in Scotland and don't know anyone called Claudia.

Although I am aware of the Latin meaning, I'm not sure that most people would be tbh.

It won't get popular due to its unfortunate meaning - the Latin word claudus means disabled/lame.