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Baby names

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

Original poster

Clara, Maëlle or Audrey

40 replies

Dasha8 · 19/05/2023 19:48

Help me choose: Clara, Maëlle or Audrey?

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Bec198 · 20/05/2023 13:17

If I had to guess one accent although I think Audrey is the most beautiful name here. I don’t think it sounds like ‘odd’ btw.

Bec198 · 20/05/2023 13:15

Pemba · 20/05/2023 07:09

Really? Interesting, I am trying different accents in my head to see where Audrey might be said like 'Oddry'.

Scottish is my guess? But don't know which Scottish accent.

Show quote history

Irish.

DuchessOfSausage · 20/05/2023 12:33

@unsurereallyx1 , I think Clara might be one of those names that is much loved on here, but not as popular IRL. Other ones are Cecily, Cecelia, Claudia and Juliet.

DuchessOfSausage · 20/05/2023 12:31

@unsurereallyx1 , it's Mah-elle. The diaeresis means the e doesn't join the a.
It's not easy to say in an english accent, so people will probably say My-elle or May-elle. cf Noel is Noh-el in french and Know-ell in english

unsurereallyx1 · 20/05/2023 12:09

GoodVibesHere · 19/05/2023 20:21

Why is everyone calling their babies Clara all of a sudden? Every other baby girl seems to be called Clara. In a few years there will be a hell of a lot of Clara's in each school class!

Maelle - I've no idea how to pronounce that? I can't even begin to.

So it'd have to be Audrey.

What a strange response.

I don't know anyone who has called their child Clara recently and either way, this isn't a thread on popularity.

You can't even begin to try and pronounce Maelle? I agree it could be pronounced several ways, but maybe try sounding it out?

🙄🙄

Italiangreyhound · 20/05/2023 12:01

Clara

DuchessOfSausage · 20/05/2023 11:16

@bouquetofpeonies , the french say it as Mah-elle. There is nothing there to make it My-elle.

DustyLee123 · 20/05/2023 11:02

Clara

FatGirlSwim · 20/05/2023 11:02

Clara. I have never met one even though others are saying it’s popular.

Maelle sounds like male. Or Miele.
Audrey reminds me of Coronation Street. Also irrationally reminds me of ‘ordinary’ .

Lifeinlists · 20/05/2023 10:55

Clara

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 20/05/2023 10:53

Whichever one she looks like when she arrives Wink

bouquetofpeonies · 20/05/2023 10:53

DuchessOfSausage · 19/05/2023 20:39

I don't like any of them.
Clara was ok when it was said as Clare-a, Maelle is ok if pronounced the french way (Ma-elle) but My-elle is awful, Audrey is ok but I think of Tawdry

"My-elle" would be the French pronunciation, albeit with a softer 'y'.

OP they are all lovely. Audrey is a favourite of mine, it's due a comeback. Clara may be popular now but it's very classic and beautiful. For what it's worth, my name was number 3 or 4 in nationwide popularity the year I was born, and there were two other girls in my year (out of 100) who shared the name. Since leaving school, I've met only 1 or 2 other women with my name.

UsernameIsHarderThanBabyName · 20/05/2023 10:28

We know a little Audrey- think it’s lovely

Pemba · 20/05/2023 07:09

ThomasinaLivesHere · 20/05/2023 06:51

What 'odd' sound, you know it's pronounced 'Awdry', not 'Oddry' don't you?

Perhaps a regional thing but those two sound practically identical to me.

Really? Interesting, I am trying different accents in my head to see where Audrey might be said like 'Oddry'.

Scottish is my guess? But don't know which Scottish accent.

MrsRickAstley · 20/05/2023 06:58

Is it pronounced May-Elle ?

WaltzingWaters · 20/05/2023 06:56

Clara

DucksNewburyport · 20/05/2023 06:52

Clara

ThomasinaLivesHere · 20/05/2023 06:51

What 'odd' sound, you know it's pronounced 'Awdry', not 'Oddry' don't you?

Perhaps a regional thing but those two sound practically identical to me.

Pemba · 20/05/2023 06:29

ThomasinaLivesHere · 20/05/2023 05:36

I think some French names can sound lovely in France but not the best here.

I do like Audrey but I’m put off it due to the “odd” sound and wonder if that could be used for bullying but maybe overthinking that.

Clara is nice but popular at least according to charts. Never actually met one of any age.

What 'odd' sound, you know it's pronounced 'Awdry', not 'Oddry' don't you?

I like both Audrey and Clara (although I prefer the older English Claira pronunciation rather than Clah-ra).

Maelle, I can't say as I've never heard of it before, and no idea how it's pronounced. Is it said like Mayella? Not sure about it.

SecretVictoria · 20/05/2023 06:14

Maelle was an MLM (not sure if they’re still around) a few years ago. I’d
go for one of the others.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 20/05/2023 05:36

I think some French names can sound lovely in France but not the best here.

I do like Audrey but I’m put off it due to the “odd” sound and wonder if that could be used for bullying but maybe overthinking that.

Clara is nice but popular at least according to charts. Never actually met one of any age.

garlictwist · 20/05/2023 04:50

Audrey is beyond ugly. Clara is ok. Maëlle is nice enough but sounds like a brand of fridge.

Dazedandbemused0 · 20/05/2023 04:28

Love Audrey and Clara but would go with Audrey as Clara is so popular

shoopshoopdedoo · 20/05/2023 02:10

Audrey or Clara

Luredbyapomegranate · 20/05/2023 01:54

Clara is v nice
Audrey is ok
Maelle is not going to work in the UK