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Baby names

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

Original poster

Clara or Eliza

57 replies

girlmum6 · 16/08/2025 20:09

Would anyone mind giving me their preference between Clara and Eliza. Both are possibilities for our daughter as well as a couple of others. I’m unsure which I prefer though. Thanks

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Instructions · 29/08/2025 15:39

Clara, by miles

GetToHeaven · 29/08/2025 15:37

I like Clara but I know a few babies/toddlers either the name so depends whether that’s a concern for you.

Calliopespa · 29/08/2025 15:32

ElixirOfLife · 29/08/2025 08:01

Is Clara a nn for Clarissa?

I think it's a name in itself - or at least has been for many, many years.

It has quite a history for literary characters: Clara in Heidi, in the Nutcracker and in Virginia Woolf.

It comes from the Latin for "bright" (though I think Clarissa does too?), whereas I believe Cara comes from the Gaelic ( names like Ciara) and Cara is a more modern spelling in English.

I think Clara is really elegant.

rosegarden95 · 29/08/2025 10:17

Clara or even Lara is nice too

ElixirOfLife · 29/08/2025 08:03

Do you like Callie?

ElixirOfLife · 29/08/2025 08:01

Is Clara a nn for Clarissa?

DuchessOfNarcissex · 29/08/2025 07:25

It has a different vibe, @Calliopespa . Cara seems warmer.
i don't like the Cl sound.

user1492757084 · 29/08/2025 02:37

Do you like Carla?

ElixirOfLife · 29/08/2025 01:22

Eliza hands down

Calliopespa · 29/08/2025 00:16

I LOVE both Clara and Eliza.

Cara is a totally different vibe of name altogether imo - and I much prefer Clara.

paulhollywoodshairgel · 23/08/2025 17:08

Eliza is a beautiful timeless name. It will grow with her. Love it x

chipshopElvis · 23/08/2025 15:58

Both are lovely, I know a 3 year old Clara.

cordelia16 · 23/08/2025 15:58

Also, do you pronounce Clara sounding like clarity or rhyming with lard?

cordelia16 · 23/08/2025 15:56

I love both names. For me it would help to know how they sound with the surname.

Fourlovelychildren · 23/08/2025 12:58

I know of three Elizas and three Claras born in the last three years so I think they are growing in popularity, if that concerns you at all.

Clara better than Eliza for me.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 23/08/2025 12:52

Clara

They are equally nice but there are way to many Ella and Ellies around, and too many vowel names

ChocolateCinderToffee · 22/08/2025 10:09

Clara. She’s the girl in the Nutcracker ballet, which I love.

I don’t like the long i sound in Eliza and also it’s half a name.

LlynTegid · 21/08/2025 12:15

Clara, won't be abbreviated and no one will assume Eliza is really Elizabeth or call your daughter Liz.

indoorplantqueen · 21/08/2025 12:13

Clara

norsesummer · 21/08/2025 11:55

Clara is so pretty

Original poster
girlmum6 · 20/08/2025 12:09

Thanks all for your thoughts x

OP posts:
MovingBird123 · 18/08/2025 22:50

Great choices! Clara has a slight edge for me, so many literary and historical Clara's...

Wellbeing24 · 18/08/2025 20:00

Both are lovely ❤️

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 18/08/2025 19:26

Eliza

Hazelmaybe · 18/08/2025 19:23

Clara