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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which girl's name?

36 replies

delshell · 26/06/2020 19:58

So hubby and I are choosing a name for our baby girl.

The two names we've narrowed it down to up to now are:

Gwendolen Siân (We'd call her Gwen)
Clara Joanne

What are your thoughts and which do you prefer?

FYI, we want to have a derivative of John for the middle name, because of a recent family member who's passed away. We are from Wales, even though we don't live there now, so quite like the idea of having something Welsh in there (hence the first option), but not a requirement.

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MikeUniformMike · 28/06/2020 10:01

@123Dancewithme, that's my thought too. I don't like Chloe for the same reason and that I know so many who talk about their Chlo. Clare seems slightly softer, but seems like just a noise.

With Clara, I think that people might mix it up with Ciara and Chiara, or maybe the other way round.

PinotKaren · 28/06/2020 04:58

Gwendolen Joanne

why not nab a pinch from both ... ! Grin

shazstanton01 · 28/06/2020 02:08

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123Dancewithme · 28/06/2020 01:53

I really like Gwen. Clara looks pretty but sounds harsh with the KHL sound at the beginning.

ritalia · 27/06/2020 19:59

I would chose Clara.
www.babynamechoice.com/name/Clara
Gwendoline looks complicate to spell.

Original poster
delshell · 27/06/2020 19:58

Thanks so much everyone for all the suggestions and feedback. It's given us lots of food for thought!

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 27/06/2020 13:24

I think Clara sounds harsh and clunky. Cara and Lara are so much nicer.

I don't think Gwen sounds harsh or masculine, but it will be mis-said as Gwyn or Glenn, but hey, I know people who see Louis and say Louise.

It will sometimes get spelt as Gewn probably. I've seen Gwyneth written as Gywneth. Confused

If you use Gwendolen, most people will probably say Gwendoline, unless they are Welsh speakers, which isn't really a problem. I think Doll(y) is quite a cute nn, but suspect that it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea.

Siân is fine as a middle name. I'd be more inclined towards Siân Gwendolen or better still Siân Gwenllian or Siân Gwenhwyfar but that is probably because I prefer short names.

I forgot Gwenno - that's really lovely. The o is like the o in hot not like the o in no.

sundowners · 27/06/2020 11:43

I think Gwen is a pretty unattractive, masculine, harsh, blockish sounding name. Clara is much nicer.

GinWithRosie · 27/06/2020 11:36

My Welsh Nana was Gwendolen...known alway as Dolly (she would have been 110 now had she still been alive 💓)

Gorgeous name OP xx

CaffiSaliMali · 27/06/2020 10:47

So I prefer Gwendolen Siân or Gwendoline Siân.

I don't like Clara, although objectively Clara Joanne flows well and is a nice name, just not to my personal taste.

CaffiSaliMali · 27/06/2020 10:43

Gwendoline is an anglicised version of Gwendolen which, as Mike says, is pronounced Gwen-DOL-en. Whereas Gwendoline is pronounced Gwen-duh-lin.

OP - pick whichever spelling gives you the desired pronunciation. Gwendoline Siân is fine if you want the Gwendoline pronunciation.

I have a Welsh relative from a Welsh speaking family named Gwendoline, rather than Gwendolen, as her parents preferred the Gwendoline pronunciation. She hates it and goes by her middle name, which I've never understood as her middle name isn't very nice (IMO) and isn't Welsh. I think Gwendoline and Gwendolen are both lovely!

Cam2020 · 27/06/2020 10:39

They're both cute. I do prefer Joanna to Joanne.

Either way, it makes me immediately think of the mean girl in Malory Towers

Aw, I loved the Malory Towers books! Reminds me of Gwendolen Harleth from Daniel Deronda.

RubaiyatOfAnyone · 27/06/2020 10:28

I’ve never heard Gwendoline pronounced with the emphasis on the DOH as pp, is this a specific welsh pronunciation? I’ve met 3 and they were all GWENdoline. Either way, it makes me immediately think of the mean girl in Malory Towers Grin although the ones i’ve met have been perfectly lovely. I do think Gwen sounds good with a welsh accent.

I rather like Clara Sian (sorry can’t do a circumflex on my phone) out of your options, would that be a choice?

sweetnosugar · 27/06/2020 10:13

Love Clara! Never met a Clara, however it’s lovely and refreshing.

Aria20 · 27/06/2020 07:07

Clara is much nicer. Could you do Clara Gwendolen if you want to keep the Welsh link?

Onestepup · 27/06/2020 06:59

I prefer Clara.

Tillygetsit · 26/06/2020 22:40

Gwendoline Sian is lovely. Clara sounds a bit wet.

user1493494961 · 26/06/2020 21:32

Clara is much nicer, I would prefer to be a Clara than a Gwen.

FairfaxAikman · 26/06/2020 21:12

Gwen.

Clara is getting so popular but is very harsh sounding to my ear

Original poster
delshell · 26/06/2020 21:07

Thanks for the insight @MikeUniformMike - that's all helpful to know!

I am less keen on the anglicised spelling of Gwendoline but wondering if it would be a less confusing pronunciation and spelling.

The question is whether Gwendoline would still work with a Welsh middle name such as Siân?

Any thoughts anyone?

OP posts:
JollyGiraffe12 · 26/06/2020 21:07

Clara is just lovely. I prefer Joanna to Joanne. Not keen on the others.

Angelonia · 26/06/2020 21:04

Clara Joanne is absolutely gorgeous

SoftBlocks · 26/06/2020 21:04

Clara.

Smellbellina · 26/06/2020 21:03

Oh just realised you are spelling it Gwendolen so maybe that's a different pronunciation, never heard of it spelt that way.

Oops sameBlush

Smellbellina · 26/06/2020 21:02

I adore the name Gwen, DP vetoed it (he’s Welsh, apparently it had connotations) so, I would definitely choose Gwendoline Sian.
As a side not I disagree with PP who said the emphasis is on the DOL part.

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