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Baby names

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

Original poster

Clare

86 replies

SunflowerOwl · 09/06/2021 11:01

We were pretty set on Thea for our DD due in August but I keep coming back to the name Clare. DH likes it but thinks it's a bit dated and prefers Thea.

I feel like the closer we get to the due date the more undecided I feel!

What do people think of the name Clare? Middle name will likely be Elizabeth.

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Original poster
SunflowerOwl · 13/06/2021 08:43

That's good to know @pigglepot thanks Smile I know I shouldn't care about such things but seems I do!

OP posts:
pigglepot · 11/06/2021 21:46

I don't like Clare really although struggle to have strong feelings about it. It's quite boring and plain. I'm in my early 30s and know quite a few Claire/Clares of my age so it was certainly popular in the 80s. I really love Thea and don't agree that it's overused or popular or trendy. I haven't seen it feature in many baby name lists and I'm pretty sure it's not anywhere near the top of the top 100. I went to uni with a Thea- she was really cool and it was a refreshing and fun name so to me isn't necessarily "now" or trendy (which is a good thing) it's just a cool and unusual name.

Marty13 · 11/06/2021 21:42

Hey OP, I prefer by far Thea (though more as a nickname for Theodora). But I understand that with Elizabeth as a middle name you'd want a shorter name.

TimeForT · 11/06/2021 21:18

I have it as a middle name and like it but it often gets misspelt as Claire. Although my first and surname often get misspelt with similar variants too, so it’s always a toss up as to which bit of my name (or all of it) will be spelt incorrectly Smile

I used to live near to a “Clair Hall” and always felt that I wanted to add an “e” on the end!

Stevearnottsbeard · 11/06/2021 15:33

Love clare

midsomermurderess · 11/06/2021 08:53

How can Clare be 'clarr' with an 'e' at the end? And it's a bit weird that the presence or absence of a single letter can lead to intense loathing.

LivingLaVidaCovid · 11/06/2021 08:15

Unpopular opinion i think Clare/Claire is nice and due a come back.

I think thea is a bit Confused tbh

CassandraTrotter · 11/06/2021 08:13

Thea is hugely popular.

Clare gets Clur around these parts.

MrsBertBibby · 11/06/2021 08:11

Clare (best spelling) is a good name, but not with a monosyllabic surname.

A good friend has that, and says it does make for a very plodding name.

villainousbroodmare · 10/06/2021 23:51

Clare is lovely and by far the best spelling of a classic, simple and elegant name. Jane has a similar feel for me but more English. Thea also appealing but think how people might pronounce it, as others have said.

EishetChayil · 10/06/2021 23:45

Claire is a gorgeous name. Clare just makes me want to pronounce it "clarrr".

PetraRabbit · 10/06/2021 23:25

Clare is a beautiful name. I don't like Thea. It's a name that seems to tick every trend going- it's like Theo, and also like Sophia/Fia, and like Leah. Clare has a much more elegant sound.

Original poster
SunflowerOwl · 10/06/2021 17:48

We dont live in the South East but that has crossed my mind!

OP posts:
Reallyhadenough · 10/06/2021 14:14

I agree with @ozzyfroggy a little girl we know is often called fea, because a lot of can't manage th

Rooglypoogly · 10/06/2021 14:05

I'm a Clare, love the name and the spelling. Also have that middle name but I am a 70's baby!

HarrietM87 · 10/06/2021 13:53

Clare is really popular in the US atm - only a matter of time before it comes over here. I love it. I’m sick of every girls’ name ending in “a” or “ie”.

StokeHollyCross · 10/06/2021 13:36

Claire and Clare are nice names. I wouldn't use either because they're not my personal cuppa but I can see the appeal. I wonder if Clare, Gemma, Louise, Jessica etc name types will be the next in thing?

daisypond · 10/06/2021 13:33

I like it. It’s unusual these days. I know quite a few born in the ‘60s. I also like Thea, though.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 10/06/2021 13:22

Thea

EssentialHummus · 10/06/2021 13:10

I really love it, never met one I don’t like.

If you’re in the SE Thea will be Fea.

AlfonsoTheMango · 10/06/2021 13:07

A pretty, classic name. I love it.

NotTheCatsWhiskers · 10/06/2021 13:06

I don’t think it’s any less faddy than all the Evies/Evas/Amelias/Ellie-Mae/May/Grace/Rose’s that are around at the moment. Most names date and are generational.

Original poster
SunflowerOwl · 10/06/2021 10:08

Thanks everyone.

We have discussed Thea Clare but tbh I am a bit put off by people saying its faddy. Both DH and I each have faddy 90s names our DD having the same. Although perhaps a faddy 2021 name isnt that much worse than a faddy 70s/80s one!

OP posts:
CherryonBiscuit · 10/06/2021 09:14

It is growing on me but I do prefer Thea

peaceinourtime · 10/06/2021 08:19

Another vote for Claire/Clare