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Baby names

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

Original poster

Claire?

103 replies

Octopusespunchforfun · 24/04/2025 22:57

I really love the name Claire and I’m after some honest opinions. It means “light/ bright” and I think it’s beautiful, but is it too ‘80s? I quite like that it can’t be shortened as well.

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LilyJosephine · 25/04/2025 04:41

Love it. Yes it was very popular in the 70’s/80’s but like similar Sarah and Laura, it feels classic and sounds so pretty that I don’t think it matters.

Only issue is the Claire vs Clare thing - like C/Katherine, she’s likely to have to spell it regularly. But it’s easy enough to say “Claire with an I” - I’d probably go for the Claire spelling, as I think that’s the more popular one internationally.

Userxyd · 25/04/2025 04:09

I love it - simple sophisticated and beautiful. I like the chilled French vibe too. I also fellow 80s throwback waiting for a resurgence Louise for the same reasons.

mathanxiety · 25/04/2025 03:57

Love it. Definitely a classic.

Theoldwoman · 25/04/2025 03:34

Classic, never date but beautiful.

Prefer the spelling Clare!

paranoiaofpufflings · 25/04/2025 02:08

I love the name Claire and prefer this spelling. It is a classic name. It’s strong and unfussy but pretty too. A refreshing change from the recent trend of frilly names.

CritterPants · 25/04/2025 00:47

I love it. It’s my daughter’s middle name, named after my lovely MIL. It makes me think of a sparkling clear fountain. I love the sound and the meaning.

HaroldMeaker · 25/04/2025 00:43

I think it’s a beautiful name. It always makes me think of Clair du lune .

uncomfortablydumb60 · 25/04/2025 00:33

Yes, I like it too.
I prefer the Clare spelling

Arniesaxe · 25/04/2025 00:31

I like it. Never met a nasty Clare(my favourite spelling). I hate the spelling 'clair' (childhood friend had that name) it just looks weird. Nice meaning, classic name.

HeddaGarbled · 25/04/2025 00:28

I like it.

Littleredracecar · 25/04/2025 00:27

I think it’s a lovely name. Classic but unusual nowadays. There hasn’t been a Claire in our school for years!

BumbleBeegu · 24/04/2025 23:52

Lovely name…I’d use the Clare spelling personally as I prefer how it looks, but either way it’s still a pretty name 👌🏻

CharlotteSometimes1 · 24/04/2025 23:45

back in the day, it wasn’t a particularly noticeable name, but used now it’s a beautiful classic.

lydialucy · 24/04/2025 23:41

Its a lovely name

Nevertrustacop · 24/04/2025 23:39

It's a great name. Very fresh and due a revival

SpottedDonkey · 24/04/2025 23:35

Claire is a lovely, classic, unfashionable name. Those are all positives, so it’s a winner.

almostbloody50 · 24/04/2025 23:33

It’s 70s-80s yes but I know a 26 year old called Claire and all of the ones I have met have been friendly a bit fiesty and lovely kind people, so the association for me is a yes.

Waggytail · 24/04/2025 23:32

Claire is beautiful. Someone I know has a 1 year old Claire.

Original poster
Octopusespunchforfun · 24/04/2025 23:31

I was hoping people would say it was a classic.

I’ve considered the Clare spelling too as well as Clara as it’s the same ‘name family’ but a bit different.

I like the look of the name, it just looks neat and I like you can’t shorten it.

OP posts:
Bigearringsbigsmile · 24/04/2025 23:30

I really like it

Sundappledlawn · 24/04/2025 23:29

It’s lovely, but I prefer the spelling Clare

BoleynMemories13 · 24/04/2025 23:22

It's not for me. Not just because it feels dated, I never liked the sound even back in the 90s when I was growing up with several Claires. It just sounds dull and bland to me.

I put it in the same bracket as Laura. Both were very popular at my school, but I was always glad neither of those was my name. My own name is very popular itself, but just felt sparkier somehow than Claire and Laura.

Obviously it's up to you though! Clara would be the currently more popular alternative.

AusBoundDD · 24/04/2025 23:04

Awfully boring and very 80s if I’m brutally honest, OP!

BacktoBeginnersFran · 24/04/2025 23:04

I think it's a great name - classic!

Happyinarcon · 24/04/2025 23:03

It’s an underused classic