Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

How would you pronounce Clara?

103 replies

Thepotdog · 10/11/2024 20:08

Thinking of Clara for baby girl due early next year however I saw online that a lot of people pronounce it Claire-ah , I’ve always thought of it as Clar-ah (pronounced like Cara but with an L) now I’m in 2 minds as I don’t want to burden her with a name that gets mispronounced all the time. Is it a regional thing how it’s pronounced?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
topsunmaverick · 10/11/2024 21:27

I would assume Clah-ra but I do know a Clay-ra. Scotland

Needmorelego · 10/11/2024 21:25

To be honest when I say those two versions out loud I can barely hear a difference 🙂

PiggieWig · 10/11/2024 21:23

Yep, rhymes with Lara, Tara, Zara

Lovely name. Never heard Clair-a and I think if you went with that pronunciation she’d be forever correcting people

Original poster
Thepotdog · 10/11/2024 21:22

Thanks everyone, I’ve just looked back on the website I saw it on it looks like an America website so that explains a lot. Good to know those in the UK say Clar-ah . Thanks again it’s made me more confident about using it.

@VivaVivaa Ah really I didn’t know it was so popular, I don’t know any Clara’s

OP posts:
NewName24 · 10/11/2024 21:22

(In England) I've only ever heard Clara to sound like Cara without the 'L'.

I've taught for years and hear lots of names pronounced in different ways, but never heard Clara as 'Claire-ah'.

Pemba · 10/11/2024 21:20

Heidi's best friend is named Clara, in the books.

JC03745 · 10/11/2024 21:18

I've lived in 3 countries and never heard it pronounced Claire-a.

I'd say it the same as Zara, Tara, Lara etc.

I also have absolutely no idea why people think it rhymes with Heidi??? Can people explain how a name ending in I sounds the same as one ending in A??? 🤔

NamelessNinja · 10/11/2024 21:16

My DD is Clara, the Clah-ra way, have never had anyone mispronounce it or heard of any who pronounce it the other way.

andHelenknowsimmiserablenow · 10/11/2024 21:12

sel2223 · 10/11/2024 20:48

Clara, rhymes with Lara, Tara, Zara....

Never heard it pronounced any other way

Edited

Same here. I have never heard it pronounced Claire -A.

BuzzieLittleBee · 10/11/2024 21:03

Heidi was the first thing that came to mind for me too!

Lara, Tara, Zara, Clara - all rhyme with each other.

sel2223 · 10/11/2024 21:00

RedHelenB · 10/11/2024 20:59

Heidi, a classic children s book about a Swiss girl in the mountains

Show quote history

This made me laugh!! I was genuinely trying everything there to get Clara to rhyme with Heidi😅

RedHelenB · 10/11/2024 20:59

sel2223 · 10/11/2024 20:57

You have completely lost me

Show quote history

Heidi, a classic children s book about a Swiss girl in the mountains

EtonMessy · 10/11/2024 20:59

Kitkat1523 · 10/11/2024 20:54

Clar rah ….like in Heidi

That’s what I was going to say ! Loved that story as a child , wanted to live in a shepherd’s hit in the Alps !!

sel2223 · 10/11/2024 20:57

Kitkat1523 · 10/11/2024 20:54

Clar rah ….like in Heidi

You have completely lost me

Kitkat1523 · 10/11/2024 20:54

Clar rah ….like in Heidi

Whoyergonnacall · 10/11/2024 20:51

I pronounce it the same way you do and it’s my favourite name for a little girl.

sel2223 · 10/11/2024 20:48

Clara, rhymes with Lara, Tara, Zara....

Never heard it pronounced any other way

VivaVivaa · 10/11/2024 20:33

Between friends and acquaintances of my 2 DC, Clara must be one of the most popular names. Understandable as it is gorgeous.

Ive never come across Claire-ah. It’s always been Clah-rah

Sarah2891 · 10/11/2024 20:31

Exactly as it's spelt. Lara with a C before it.

Pemba · 10/11/2024 20:30

My ancient auntie, born in Yorkshire in the late 19th century was 'Clair-a' and that's how the name used to be said in the UK. Clah-ra was the pronunciation in mainland Europe, like the little girl in 'The Nutcracker'.

Since the name became popular again this time around it always seems to be 'Clah-ra' though.

Personally I prefer 'Clair--a:', and it might be that America has kept this pronunciation.

LittleBoPeepHasLostHerShit · 10/11/2024 20:20

To rhyme with Capybara

BashfulClam · 10/11/2024 20:18

Never heard Claire-ah, always Cla-ra. I did hear ‘Meegan’ on the US news the other day! The really pronounce some names weirdly.

Fireworknight · 10/11/2024 20:14

Clar - Rah

Klippityklopp · 10/11/2024 20:14

Claa rah
I think it's a lovely name op

WhereAreWeNow · 10/11/2024 20:13

I've never heard it pronounced Claire-ah.
Lovely name.

Swipe left for the next trending thread