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Baby names

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

Original poster

Ottie or Clara

90 replies

Pippinthepup · 15/12/2021 15:50

I am six months pregnant with my first dd and am stuck between Ottie and Clara for a name. Ottie was always my first choice but I recently came across the name Clara and thought it was really pretty- my dh prefers Ottie but I think he’s warming to Clara as well- my only worry with Ottie is that people might not get the spelling straight away. Was just wondering if anyone has any opinions/experience of either names

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A580Hojas · 15/12/2021 18:20

Definitely Clara.

H03bags · 15/12/2021 18:19

Clara

toastofthetown · 15/12/2021 17:37

I prefer Clara. It sounds beautiful. I only know Ottie as a nickname for Ottilie which is very trendy at the moment.

WimpoleHat · 15/12/2021 17:32

@user1493494961

Clara is beautiful, Ottie is weird.
My thoughts too!
GucciBear · 15/12/2021 17:31

Clara. Ottie sounds like someone who is badly spoken and asking for a hot water bottle!

user1493494961 · 15/12/2021 17:27

Clara is beautiful, Ottie is weird.

Lampzade · 15/12/2021 17:07

Clara- beautiful underused name

blueflowersinthesnow · 15/12/2021 17:06

I prefer Clara.

If you decide on Ottie, I'd go with it as a nickname with Ottilie as the full name.

Luredbyapomegranate · 15/12/2021 17:05

Clara is lovely

I really don’t think you can should someone Ottie as their actual name, it sounds like a brand of heated gloves or something. Ok as diminutive of Ottilie - or Octavia would work, as a Pp suggested.

PatterPaws · 15/12/2021 17:04

I'm just imagining Ottie with a glottal stop Confused

Op, choose Clara. Wink

solania · 15/12/2021 17:01

If you like Ottie, then Ottavia/Octavia might be a suitable longer name which can be shortened? I agree with PP that Ottie doesn’t sound like a "real name" as it were, but I do rather like it!

CoffeeBeansGalore · 15/12/2021 17:01

Clara. Beautiful, simple, classic.

LuluBlakey1 · 15/12/2021 16:59

What about Otter or Clart?

Original poster
Pippinthepup · 15/12/2021 16:58

I think judging by this thread Clara may be the better way to go! I knew an Ottie about 10 years ago and I always thought it was a lovely name and very unique (I've never come across another one since)- she had a very creative job and she seemed to really suit her name. I did also quite like that it reminded me of the word otter too but I realise that it may not be strong enough as a name on its own

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 15/12/2021 16:40

I don't like Clara but it's a lot less awful than Ottie

MsFogi · 15/12/2021 16:37

Like others - Ottie is the nickname for Ottoline or Ottilie so if you go for this option why not go for the full name so that your daughter has options.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 15/12/2021 16:36

Clara lovely.

I have never heard of Ottie but think only suitable for a puppy.

Agree with PP it does not seem like a whole name.
She will spend lifetime correcting and explaining

CrispAndFrosty · 15/12/2021 16:34

Where has Ottie come from? It sounds sweet as a nickname for something, but she'll have to explain it all the time if it's her full name. Clara is lovely. I also think of the Nutcracker.

HuntingoftheSnark · 15/12/2021 16:33

Clara is lovely. Ottie doesn't sound complete - either Hottie with a dropped H, or some shortening of otter. The Ottilie I know is known as Tillie.

fournonblondes · 15/12/2021 16:23

Clara

Jenjenn · 15/12/2021 16:21

Not Ottie for a girl. Clara is lovely. How about Greta?

AndyMurraysCat · 15/12/2021 16:19

Clara is lovely
Ottie has too much potential for mickey taking…

Ie. dotty Ottie, spotty Ottie, hottie Ottie, potty Ottie

Etc etc

lobsteroll · 15/12/2021 16:19

[quote Pippinthepup]@StrawberryFever I do like Ottilie but I think it’s gaining popularity and I suppose I wanted something a bit more unique[/quote]
I think lots of people would just assume it was short for Ottilie anyway.

The only Ottilie I know is called Ottie a lot.

Clara is beautiful though, makes me think of the Nutcracker story. Really nice name.

sauceyorange · 15/12/2021 16:15

Ottie is nn for ottilie. Not a fan, I think it's cutesy

becca3210 · 15/12/2021 16:14

Clara is gorgeous