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Baby names

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

Original poster

Clare in 2026

97 replies

whatapita · 27/12/2025 22:03

What do you think of the name Clare for a baby girl born in 2026? I prefer this spelling to Claire, not keen on Clara. Is it too 70s??

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Dulcie6 · 28/12/2025 13:42

I don’t think it’s ready for a comeback, but seems I’m in the minority.

Emanwenym · 28/12/2025 13:42

@user1471543683 , Clare's Law gets mentioned on MN but gets misspelt.

Clarehandaust · 28/12/2025 13:42

I like it, obviously
It’s a very underused name. It was very popular in Ireland particularly and with Irish families.
Now all of the obscure ones that nobody can spell or say have been utilised hopefully it’s time for a return of Claire Michael Martin and Siobhan

user1471543683 · 28/12/2025 13:41

I’m early 50’s and a Clare. I love my name, my mum liked it but my Dad wanted the no i spelling of it.
be prepared for it to be spelt wrong all the time.
what really annoys me is when say on Facebook my name is an inch away on the screen but people will reply with it adding an i.

Emanwenym · 28/12/2025 13:07

Team Clare. If it's good enough for St Clare, Clare Short, Clare Balding, Clare Wood (Clare's Law), Clare Grogan, ...

Lilithgolightly · 28/12/2025 12:36

I love that Clare is the less popular spelling, especially lovely if you have Irish heritage. I've always loved the name Claire, but if I was to choose today, it would be Clare.

Illjusthavethebreadsticks · 28/12/2025 12:25

I love it but then I’m biased my lovely sister was called Clare.

Foxcubforest · 28/12/2025 11:45

I prefer the Clare spelling. The i is unnecessary and makes the name look much more clunky when written down. The Clare spelling looks more light and bright somehow - which is appropriate as that’s what the name means.

ClaredeBear · 28/12/2025 11:16

I quite like it.

LarkAscendingRose · 28/12/2025 11:00

I love it. I prefer the Clare spelling

Whatalovelyday1984 · 28/12/2025 10:53

I am a Clare and so obviously biased when it comes to opinion. As others have said, I have to correct the spelling all the time

Avantiagain · 28/12/2025 10:37

I like it. Pretty without being cutesy and will work for all stages of life.

ResusciAnnie · 28/12/2025 09:27

Really like it, very American for babies nowadays, like Alison. Far prefer it with an i. I know a little baby Claire born in 2025 (American).

TidyDancer · 28/12/2025 09:23

Claire is a much much nicer spelling imo but it is a lovely name.

Moreteaandchocolate · 28/12/2025 09:11

It’s a lovely name - I personally wouldn’t use it as it feels too dated for 2026 to me, but I do like it.

Pettenell · 28/12/2025 09:01

Clare/Claire/Clair is a name I've always liked.

EngineerClaireH · 28/12/2025 08:20

I am a Claire and at university in the early 00s there were 5 claire/clare/clair's in the first 15 rugby team! I rarely hear it as a name for people under 20 now though

PersephoneParlormaid · 28/12/2025 08:08

I prefer Claire.

Thortour · 28/12/2025 08:07

My best friend is Clare. I like the Clare spelling. Her mum called her that because she didn’t like names being shortened.

greengrit · 28/12/2025 08:04

I love Clare/Claire. It feels really fresh and clean. I also love Rachel for the same reason. Get the name in before everyone is using it again!

HoorayHattie · 28/12/2025 08:00

whatapita · 27/12/2025 22:14

Thanks all, I haven’t ever had this unanimous of an agreement on a name!

And lovely to see that it's continued. I don't think I've ever seen this much positive comment for a name. It's such a lovely name & has been used in my family (but with a different spelling). I can remember my DP's reaction to having a precious DGD with this name and my DM said "it's a beautiful name and it can't be shortened" ~ DGD was soon called Clairey by her DGF!!!!

Eenameenadeeka · 28/12/2025 07:45

I think it's a very pretty name, and every Clare I've met has been lovely

NextBridgeToCross · 28/12/2025 07:42

Clare spelt that way is my middle name and yes I was born in the 70s.

j love it and get lots of positive comments.

i also love having this Irish spelling.

flutterby1 · 28/12/2025 07:39

Claire with an i Is the French spelling … I prefer it. More sophisticated

Flintgranet · 28/12/2025 07:19

Beautiful name.

No matter how you spell it, you and then eventually your dd will need to clarify the spelling for people writing it down. But that's true of a great many names, and not a barrier.

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