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Baby names

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Original poster

Clara - DH thinks its dull. Is it?

32 replies

VirtuallyReal · 17/11/2013 03:45

I love Clara. DH thinks it's not special enough. He's suggested Evie, Penny, Sophie, Emily, Eliza.

I keep reading about Claudia on here lately and am tempted.

But I've always loved Clara.

What thinks the MN jury?

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DiamondsAndRust · 20/11/2013 14:29

I only like Eliza from your DH's list, and it's getting quite popular now. Emily, Evie and Sophie are all incredibly dull imo - much more so than Clara, which is pretty and elegant, has a lovely meaning and is uncommon without being 'weird'.

That said, I can kind of see where he's coming from. Clara is a bit worthy-sounding and quite a 'good girl' name - I struggle to picture an edgy Clara, probably because I associate the name with the oh-so-virtuous character from 'Heidi'. Claudia has a lovely sound, but I'm always put off by the dodgy meaning. Personally would stick with Clara or consider Eliza, if you don't mind its recent leap in popularity.

Frikadellen · 20/11/2013 00:17

I agree w your dh However only one out of his list I dont think to be dull is Eliza.

IMO Back to the drawing board for both of you. Baby needs a name you both like.

MumtoNJCandM · 19/11/2013 22:43

Clara is a nice name, what about a longer version like Clarabell or Clarabella etc, that might make it seem more special to your other half, then it can always be shortened to Clara anyway? (If he hates the longer versions he might realise how nice/special Clara is)

Hope you decide on a name you both think is special for your special little one.

hulabaloo · 19/11/2013 14:32

I think you need to find a name that you BOTH love.

Personally I find Clara a little boring, along with Clare, Sophie, Evie and Emily. Don't like the sound or meaning of Claudia.

I do like Eliza though - classic, elegant and not overused.

SootikinAndSweep · 19/11/2013 14:23

Of your list I like Eliza the best, for me Clara is in the Hannah/Ruth/Laura/Martha bracket, a bit doughty.

FantasticMax · 18/11/2013 20:23

I think Clara is beautiful, elegant and timeless.

If your husband is anything like mine he will agree to your favourite name after watching you in labour and giving birth! My advice would be to have a short list of names you really like (two for a girl/two for a boy) and see how you feel when you meet your baby.

(My husband loves the name we gave our daughter btw, even though he wasn't so keen to start with!)

Matchthecase · 18/11/2013 13:45

Clara is a great name, your DH's name choices are the boring ones. Clara is very popular where we live (Europe, not UK) and there's always at least one in the park. It's not that popular in the UK though so I would say it's special.

mumbaisapphire · 18/11/2013 13:24

Clara is ok, I wouldn't say dull, but not my favourite. Having said that your DH's choices aren't exactly exciting. Eliza is the only one to me that has some punch to it. Claudia is lovely and I think a good combo of strength and beauty (even though someone will say it means lame...yawn). I have one so am biased!

Lubiloo · 18/11/2013 12:47

Names are very subjective and what one person loves another finds dull. Personally I'm not keen on Clare/Clara (and find both a little dull, sorry) but I really like Penelope and Eliza! I don't like the meaning of Claudia.

But surely if your dh doesn't love Clara, then that matters more than what we think, no? You need to find a name you two love!

tigrou · 18/11/2013 11:00

Clara is lovely. Also like Eliza from DH's list. Not keen on the others though (pretty names, but not really special, if that's his criteria) and Claudia doesn't do anything for me.

lljkk · 18/11/2013 09:46

Clara is lovely, quite fresh. Not at all dull! Much less ordinary than your DH's choices.

I like Claudia too, but Clara just wins out.

ClaraDeLaNoche · 18/11/2013 09:42

I love Clara, obvs. I do wonder about Clare though. No one exists called Clare who wasn't born in 1973. Bring it back, I say.

sandfrog · 18/11/2013 09:27

I prefer your DH's choices to Clara and Claudia.

telsa · 18/11/2013 08:27

Clara is lovely. I always get an image of clarity when I hear it. far from dull.

CruCru · 18/11/2013 06:22

Clara is lovely. It is easy to pronounce for a Getman speaker.

I have a baby Claudia so clearly I love that one.

Emily, Evie, Sophie are very popular.

heartisaspade · 17/11/2013 19:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DevonFolk · 17/11/2013 19:22

I love it and had it on my list but XH vetoed it :(
DD's name is on your DH's list Grin

PestoPeachissimos · 17/11/2013 19:17

Clara's lovely Smile

Alisvolatpropiis · 17/11/2013 19:15

I love Clara pronounced Klar-ah

I suggested the name to my dp who flatly refused it, it's "clunky" apparently Sad

baskingseals · 17/11/2013 18:37

I really like Clara. I think it is elegant, unusual and pretty. IMHO it is the prettiest name on your list, but I do also like Eliza.

PrimalLass · 17/11/2013 13:33

My very non-dull daughter is called Clara. It is beautiful.

aoife24 · 17/11/2013 13:33

If you want dull, Emily is, to my mind, about as yawningly, arse-achingly dull as it gets!

chickensandbees · 17/11/2013 13:31

Love Clara. Love it. I think it is quite timeless

MummyBeerest · 17/11/2013 13:27

I love Clara. Claudia is gorgeous.

I think Evie is adorable. DD's middle name is Emily so I do like it...but only as a middle.

Original poster
VirtuallyReal · 17/11/2013 13:13

To be fair to him, he wouldn't have a clue about the popularity of names. He's not au fait with the ONS list and doesn't really know a lot of children. He's just going on what he thinks is nice.

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