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Baby names

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

Original poster

Names touted as "very popular" on here

114 replies

SomeSunnySunday · 10/08/2014 15:55

I have noticed the name which we have chosen for our baby girl, due in 4 months, mentioned as being "very popular" and a "one of 3 in a class" name on here quite a few times recently.

I want to avoid a very, very popular name (probably top 20). However we don't know, or even know of, a single other baby, child or adult with this name (and as a mother of 2 young children, I go to a lot of activity groups etc so come across a lot of children). There are no children with this name in DC1's primary school, and when I checked the name stats for Scotland (where we live) for last year, it is listed at 155 (which I am fine with!).

Does the mumsnet demographic skew people's opinions? Are lots of posters London based? Do mumsnetters know something I don't - have hundreds of babies been given this name in the last year, and is it about to explode with popularity?

I'm just curious really, as I thought it was a less-used name than many.

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Sleepyhoglet · 10/08/2014 17:22

Clara is my chosen name and I have the same fear? More and more people asking if it is too popular on here.

coppertop · 10/08/2014 17:18

Most of MN's "very popular" and "one of 3 in a class" names are ones that aren't used where I live.

I don't know anyone of any age who is called Clara.

Leeds2 · 10/08/2014 17:17

I have volunteers in a primary school for 8 years, and never come across a Clara.

burgatroyd · 10/08/2014 17:15

I like it but had to rule out because it didn't go with surname.

I prefer Lara though.

There was a thread yesterday on Sophia. The little girl wanted to change her name because it was too popular.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2154016-my-daughter-hates-her-name-Sophia-as-too-common-and-wants-to-change-it?pg=1&order=

Then again I suppose you can dislike your name whatever it is.

I doubt there will be two or more Claras in a class.

PuppyMonkey · 10/08/2014 17:04

Never met one, don't know any , love it .

Pandora37 · 10/08/2014 17:02

I know a baby Clara and I think it's on the up but it was no. 179 in England and Wales in 2012 so it's even less popular than in Scotland, but yes it is increasing. It's been steadily increasing though so I don't think it's a problem. It's names like Ava that suddenly shoot up out of nowhere that you want to avoid if you don't want a popular name (it went from 204 to 6 in 10 years in E&W whereas Clara was in the late 200s 10 years ago so it hasn't increased by a huge amount).

I really think it's a regional thing. I can see Clara more being popular in London and the South East, and it probably depends on people's social circles. I know Olivia was no. 1 for ages but I don't think of it as popular as I only know two and they're both adults. It's strange how it varies.

Use Clara. I think it will get more popular but I don't think it's going to be top 20 any time soon.

RainbowB7 · 10/08/2014 17:01

Lovely name OP. I think it is probably climbing to some extent but don't think it can be called "very popular" at all! And I doubt it will become the latest fad. So dont let yourself be put off.

Squirm · 10/08/2014 17:00

Clara is not overly popular. I'm in London and know of one child Clara. Fabulous name!

florascotia · 10/08/2014 16:58

OP Government statistics for names given in England and Wales for 2013 are due to be published next week (I think). Check this site:
www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-318071

In 2012, Clara was not in the top 100: www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/aug/12/top-100-baby-names-2012-girls-boys-list

It might be interesting for you to see whether it has 'climbed' there in 2013.

Shedding · 10/08/2014 16:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fairylea · 10/08/2014 16:42

Never met a Clara :)

jerryfudd · 10/08/2014 16:42

I'm in the Midlands with 3 kids and have yet to encounter a Clara. It is a lovely name though

TeaAndALemonTart · 10/08/2014 16:41

Not too popular here, I like it.

Original poster
SomeSunnySunday · 10/08/2014 16:36

I think it might depend on where you live though, Mama? Don't get wrong, I don't dislike it at all, but it would really stand out where we are (and probably be perceived as pretentious). I suspect you could get away with a lot more in a big city or more multicultural urban area?

OP posts:
MamaLazarou · 10/08/2014 16:34

I know a baby Persphone BTW and people generally don't bat an eyelid - or snigger - when they hear her name.

MamaLazarou · 10/08/2014 16:32

Never met a Clara. Name trends tend to be very localised, though: when I lived in a small town in Surrey, literally every second baby boy I met was called James but here (London), I haven't met any and there are none in my son's year at school.

Go with Clara if you love it! And good luck x

Original poster
SomeSunnySunday · 10/08/2014 16:29

Thank you, that is very reassuring. Some of the comments on the recent "Claire" thread in particular were along the lines of how much more unusual Claire would be compared to the 'very popular' Clara - I wondered if we were missing something (but couldn't really see how I could be).

And yes, I thinking turning up at the village toddler group with a Persephone here might cause a few sniggers. Or an Ophelia, or a Ptolemy... And I've only met a horse called Xanthe (although it is nice, for animal or child!).

OP posts:
BiggerYellowTaxi · 10/08/2014 16:29

Clara is a lovely name and I've not met or heard of any babies/toddlers with that name recently.

startwig1982 · 10/08/2014 16:28

Clara is lovely. I've only ever taught one and know of no others.

MarkWrightsLonelyBraincell · 10/08/2014 16:27

I know one little Clara and it may have a small rise in popularity due to Doctor Who but I'd still go for it, it's a lovely name.

VodIsGod · 10/08/2014 16:24

Clara! What a lovely name! I do know a girl of 8 called Clara but there are certainly not classes full of them here (Oxon). Congratulations!

Floggingmolly · 10/08/2014 16:23

I don't know any Clara's. It's lovely, btw. But then I don't know any Xanthe's either, despite every second mumsnetter's child being called that... Apparently.

Mumof3xox · 10/08/2014 16:22

I've never met a Clara !

ChanelNo19LoveIt · 10/08/2014 16:21

yes, mumsnet is not the real world. in my world, if you called your child Persephone there'd be a silence that would make people on the other half of the hemispere feel awkward. And these wouldn't be 'plebs' as would be assumed on MN.

ChanelNo19LoveIt · 10/08/2014 16:19

Love it. And I only know two. One is 44. One is 8. I'm sure there are others.

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