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Original poster

Louisa vs Claire/Clarissa

30 replies

Slyn · 27/06/2021 09:28

Which of these two classic/vintage names would you prefer? Also, which pronounciation are you used to for Louisa?

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cptartapp · 01/07/2021 19:39

Louisa by a mile.

CarrotCakeMuffins · 01/07/2021 19:29

Louisa is a beautiful underused name, and pronounced like Louise but with an 'a' at the end. Sometimes it can be abbreviated to Lou but its not inevitable.
Luisa is the Spanish / Italian version which is pronounced differently.

colincarrot · 01/07/2021 19:21

Hate louisa. Clare is the correct spellingGrin love Clare and Clara
There won't be many Clares. Its not come back into fashion yet!

TheWashingMachine · 01/07/2021 19:21

Clarissa is lovely. And such a great book.

danascully96 · 01/07/2021 19:17

Louisa, then Clarissa. I actually find the similar Carissa quite beautiful if that interest you?

Clare/Claire is nice and clear sounding, but almost too uninspired and suburban (sorry, just how I feel).

DramaAlpaca · 29/06/2021 23:29

Louisa is one of my favourite names, so I'd choose that.

I like Clare too (that spelling) but not so keen on Clarissa.

Buttons294749 · 29/06/2021 23:27

I love clarissa (although am.of the age to follow it up in my head with "explains it all" 🤣)
I would use this

FeedMeSantiago · 29/06/2021 10:13

Louisa, Clarissa and Claire in that order. I would pronounce Louisa like Louise but with an a on the end - Loo-ee-za.

I prefer Larissa to Clarissa though.

Cowbells · 27/06/2021 22:10

Not keen on Louisa. The loo sound makes me think of toilets and the whole name with the ooh-ee makes me think of bad 1970s sitcom neighbours coming in saying 'coo-eeh, only me!'

I like Clarissa best but prefer Clara (gorgeous) to Claire and love a PP's suggestion of Larissa.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 27/06/2021 21:53

I'd pick elegant Louisa as it feels the most classic to me since it's never been super popular/overused in the UK, yet is well used historically and internationally (admittedly often as the Luisa spelling too). But I think you do have to not mind the possibility of the Lou nn (and I've only heard it said as Loo -eez -ah).

I love the sound of beautiful Claire but due to it's huge popularity in the 70's/80's some people seem to find it slightly dated.

Not very keen on the sound of Clarissa sorry - it has a fussy, maiden aunt sort of image to me for some reason.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 27/06/2021 19:44

My Louisa has never, in any of the countries we have lived in or visited had her name pronounced anything other than Loo-eez-a. She has had it spelt a combination of Luisa and Louisa though.

Her sisters Scottish name... most don't even try! Too many silent letters apparently!

ScribblyBaller · 27/06/2021 19:44

I would pronounce Louisa with an s sound rather than a z. Not so keen on the z sound.

Claire is safe but dull.

Clarissa is a good name for one of those demonic looking porcelain dolls.

ILoveShula · 27/06/2021 19:42

I don't like the Cl (clown, clod, clumsy, clumpy etc) sound, so Louisa.

Clarissa is nice but Claire is dated and meh.

Junipersky · 27/06/2021 19:39

I love Clarissa. I've only ever met one in my entire life.

I also like Claire, but absolutely love Clara.

Louisa is pretty.

thenonsensepotter · 27/06/2021 19:00

Have heard Louisa pronounced Looi- sa with the o sound being quite short, but it sounded very odd.

toastofthetown · 27/06/2021 18:47

I prefer Louisa and would pronounce it with a z sound. Luisa I would use the s pronunciation automatically, but I think most people would pick up your preferred pronunciation. But if your child either prefers the z pronunciation or decides it's not worth correcting then I think it would take over.

I prefer Claire to Clarissa, as I find Clarissa a bit too fussy (and I know you didn't ask this but Clara is my favourite Clar- name).

Jayneisagirlsname · 27/06/2021 13:24

I have a Louisa and I love it. Luisa is also lovely but might be hard to get away with if you're not Spanish or Italian.

Arrierttyclock · 27/06/2021 13:12

Clarissa is lovely

AuditAngel · 27/06/2021 10:26

I have a Luisa, pronounced Loo-ees-a

It is both Spanish and Italian in origin.

daisypond · 27/06/2021 10:22

I like them all but would go for Louisa. There’s only one pronunciation- with a /z/ sound.

Geamhradh · 27/06/2021 10:16

I don't like Clarissa, reminds me of horsey-gymkhana books from the 70s.
I really like Clare/Claire, and also Clara.
I prefer Louise to Louisa. (I think the English pron would be /z/ as is Louise, whereas both Italian and Spanish pron of Luisa is /s/

Original poster
Slyn · 27/06/2021 10:14

I also thougt it is possible to pronounce it as Loo-ees-a. Shock

OP posts:
GiantToadstool · 27/06/2021 09:44

I came across a Larissa once which is unusual but sounds up your street.

Kitkat151 · 27/06/2021 09:43

I love Louisa....l thought there was only one pronunciation?

Mumoftwoinprimary · 27/06/2021 09:36

I know a Luisa - pronounced Loo-eess-a - so much softer than Loo-eez-a. I think that might be the Spanish pronunciation.

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