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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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phodopus · 10/06/2021 03:16

Clare Elizabeth is lovely. I wouldn't say it's dated, just not trendy right now. It's pretty timeless.

PolkadotFlamingos · 10/06/2021 00:59

Although personally, I think Chloë is much prettier.

PolkadotFlamingos · 10/06/2021 00:57

Claire is much nicer. I believe Clare is an English corruption of the original Claire. But a very nice name. People got sick of it because SO many 80s babies were Clare/ Claire/ Sarah/ Sara but in the current generation of children these names will be unusual.

katy1213 · 10/06/2021 00:11

Thea is all too likely to become Feea.

Greenmarmalade · 10/06/2021 00:08

Yes!
Beautiful name and meaning

KirstenBlest · 10/06/2021 00:06

I don't like Clara at all.

Clare is a classic but was so overused in the 1970s that it got ruined.

MargaretFraggle · 10/06/2021 00:05

Thea is nice too though!

MargaretFraggle · 10/06/2021 00:04

I really like the name Clare. There were lots born in the 70s, and they probsbly think their name is dull as a result. But actually, it's a lovely classic. I prefer Clare as the spelling. My Grandma had a cousin or aunt called Clara pronounced Clare-a and I like that too.

IdblowJonSnow · 10/06/2021 00:02

I like it. It's due a comeback!
It means bright/light.
Clair is the least usual spelling.
Clara also nice but definitely more fashionable.
I like Thea too.

KirstenBlest · 09/06/2021 23:52

It doesn't sound nice in most accents

Onlinedilema · 09/06/2021 23:50

I have always !liked Clare.
I think I prefer the Clair spelling.

Pemba · 09/06/2021 23:14

No I don't think so, the French 'Claire' spelling became popular here in the 60s as part of a trend of French names for little girls, others were Julie, Michelle, Marie, Suzanne, Louise, Jacqueline.

Before that the name was never overwhelmingly popular and was traditionally given as the Clare version. For example the Saint is referred to in Britain and Ireland as St Clare, not Claire.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 09/06/2021 22:19

Although fairly classic, it was just so popular in the 70's/80's some people will find it dated. However imo Clare has a lovely romantic/poetic soft sound - I can see why it appeals to you. But an issue is the spelling - the "Claire" version seems to have always been much more popular in the UK, so will likely be the default.

Thea is nice enough but feels very trendy in comparison, so I prefer Claire!

Yika · 09/06/2021 21:57

I adore the name Clare (or Claire, both spellings are fab). So simple and graceful, I love the look and the sound of it.

DramaAlpaca · 09/06/2021 21:50

I love Clare, especially that spelling.

However you spell it, it's so much nicer than Thea.

HairyToity · 09/06/2021 20:28

40 years ago, I'd say not another Clare. However it's a lovely name, and for this generation I don't know any. Go for it.

partyatthepalace · 09/06/2021 20:26

It’s a classic which will never date and should be used more. It’ll come back soon but for now it’s nicely unusual. Like the simple Clare spelling too.

I like it a lot better than Thea which I think is nothing-y and faddy

Clara or Claudia are options.

highlighteryellow · 09/06/2021 17:25

Clare is extremely unusual for a baby these days. In 2018 there were only 3! It feels more common than that though because most people know several women aged 35+ called Clare/Claire.

Thea is trendier according to the statistics, although I've only ever met one who would now be about 8. How often you hear it might depend where you live?

Personally I like both. But I like Clara even better!

MrsMoastyToasty · 09/06/2021 16:38

Claire or Clare is lovely. Clair looks kind of unfinished.

It means bright or light.

HeronLanyon · 09/06/2021 16:38

I like Claire (I like the I) a lot. Simple pretty good meaning good looking written down. I think there are some accents where it sounds less good than others?

Serpenta · 09/06/2021 16:36

It's nice enough in a sensible, won't scare the horses kind of way.

It reminds of of Breakfast Club

massiveportion · 09/06/2021 16:36

Only if you spell it "Claire" which is the correct way... Not that I'm biased. 😉

Longdistance · 09/06/2021 16:32

I know a Clara, she’s fabulous Wink

MadeOfStarStuff · 09/06/2021 16:26

I like it, I’ve known some lovely people called Clare (I much prefer that spelling too).

It’s kind of dated in that it was very popular in the 70s and 80s, but it’s still classic and a nice name, unlike some names of that time

timetochangeitup · 09/06/2021 15:58

Claire / clare is very 70s / 80s but having a come back.

Clara is nicer

Thea is pretty but I couldn't bear to hear it pronounced ' Fee-ah' so if you live in the south east, stay away from that