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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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Fiftysix · 09/06/2021 15:31

i used this, with the same spelling. classic . ive never regretted it.

ozzyfroggy · 09/06/2021 15:23

How about Jane?! I totally love Jane.

HughesClare · 09/06/2021 15:19

I'm Elizabeth Clare, known to most as Clare and my siblings as Wiz. Don't come across many under 40 with the name so whilst some may consider it dull it would probably be seen as unusual for a new generation. 😀 For what it's worth I prefer Clara but fear that may become trendy!!

Vilt · 09/06/2021 14:35

My youngest (now 10) is called Clare. I absolutely love the name (obviously Wink) Despite it being a very well known name we have never come across another of her age

stillcrazyafterall · 09/06/2021 14:33

Oh I hate Clare as I know a few and they are all spelt differently, and I'm paranoid of offending them by getting it wrong ☹️

NotTheCatsWhiskers · 09/06/2021 14:26

I really like Thea and don’t actually know any little ones.

Why not use Clare as a middle name? I’m not Elizabeth goes, too many E sounds.

Jennyfromtheculdesac · 09/06/2021 14:23

Lovely, classic name so if that’s the vibe you want then go for it.

Thea is pretty popular at the moment.

Iknowyouknow · 09/06/2021 14:15

Not keen on it but I do like names in a similar vein eg Catherine, Caroline, Emma and other one syllable names like Jane or Ann. Maybe they are all due a comeback.

Sideofnoreturn · 09/06/2021 14:12

I love Clare with that spelling. It’s a classic, and will be unusual these days. I feel the same about Mary, Jane and Catherine. Love them all!

SionnachRua · 09/06/2021 14:07

Clare will be more unique than Thea for sure but I find it very blah. There's just nothing special or attractive about it.

Mymapuddlington · 09/06/2021 14:01

I think Clare is just a bit meh, not really much to it.

coco123456789 · 09/06/2021 14:00

I think you will be more unique with a Clare than with a Thea! Traditional timeless girls and boys names are timeless for a reason and they don’t date. When I had my eldest the names were Oscar, Florence, Finn, Eva etc, which are now all so much of a time. Traditional is the way forward!

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 09/06/2021 13:59

@Theoldwoman

I love Clare, and with your chosen spelling. Thea - not a fan.

Clare Elisabeth is nice.

Yes, it's really nice.
Theoldwoman · 09/06/2021 13:56

I love Clare, and with your chosen spelling. Thea - not a fan.

Clare Elisabeth is nice.

LarkDescending · 09/06/2021 13:28

I really like Clare. Never known a bad one. Lovely classic name.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 09/06/2021 13:17

I like Clare. It seems unusual these days. I love most classic names.

Cao77 · 09/06/2021 13:13

Another Claire here, middle name Ann. I love my name other than always having to spell it out as it gets misspelled 90% of the time to either Clare or Clair. I guess those spelt who have their name spelt that way have the same issue! Hmm

midsomermurderess · 09/06/2021 13:13

There seem to be so many 40s/early 50s called Clare, at least that's my perception so for me it seems a bit tired.

Pemba · 09/06/2021 13:05

Clare is lovely, always been one of my favourite names. You'd have to ignore the sheep like people who automatically just say 'dated' though. It's classic, though obviously there were a big surge of Claires in the 1960s/70s.

Clare is the traditional British and Irish spelling, Claire is the French. I prefer Clare, and it's nicer than Clara too.

Thea is OK, a bit meh and very trendy right now. Plus, sounds like 'fear'.

theheartofthematter · 09/06/2021 12:54

I am a Claire. I can't stand it spelled Clare as a result. I hate my name though so would go with Thea!

Fernie6491 · 09/06/2021 12:52

We have two Clares in our family, both spelt this way, which supposedly is the English spelling.

Apparently Clair/e is the French version of the name (or so I was told).

I think it's a very pretty name - but then I associate it with two lovely people!

Wheredoesagoannago · 09/06/2021 12:50

Personally, I think Clare is a lovely name.

drpet49 · 09/06/2021 12:47

Dull as dishwater. There are so many lovely names, don’t pick Clare.

Sunburn332 · 09/06/2021 12:47

I’m a Clare. ALWAYS loved my name. Especially the spelling. Detest Claire. Many Clare’s my age were either Clare Elizabeth or Clare Louise.

So yes to Clare but with a different middle name. (Off to name change now)

Cheeseplantandpickle · 09/06/2021 12:42

Thea will be dated soon as it’s very 2015 onwards. Clare is actually unusual these days!