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Baby names

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

Original poster

Clarence

138 replies

Gracefullywalking · 20/05/2026 14:54

I need to know if I've gone mad. This name is not a name that I would have even considered before I fell pregnant, but it continues to grow on me the more that I've thought about it. I just think Clarence sounds like a cute name for a little boy and would also sound mature in adulthood. Thoughts?

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RegalDiamondMonster · 24/05/2026 17:55

Ronnybabes · 24/05/2026 17:18

Wrong,
Older generation would adore it.
It's from their past.

On a lighter note my brother was nearly named Archibald after his/our Grandfather. 😩😩

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I think PP is right. People quite often don't want a strong specific association when they name their baby, more like a blank canvas with whatever vibe they are going for. Like my mum couldn't understand why Hannah was popular among my school friends because she thought of it as an 'old maid's name".
People calling their babies Florence and Elsie are too young to remember specific people, they might want to honour an ancestor but they won't have strong associations.

loislovesstewie · 24/05/2026 17:19

I'm older and I dislike it. Reminds me of old uncles wearing gigantic trousers, a belt and braces.

Ronnybabes · 24/05/2026 17:18

bumphope2020 · 20/05/2026 15:47

Older generation will hate it, as they do so many of the older names. I wouldn’t personally use it, but would think it’s cute if introduced to one.

Wrong,
Older generation would adore it.
It's from their past.

On a lighter note my brother was nearly named Archibald after his/our Grandfather. 😩😩

Riapia · 23/05/2026 17:58

I went to school with a Clarence.
He was always known as Chad.

Ilikesundays · 23/05/2026 17:00

I have a cat called Clarence. Good name for a cat. Baby - not so much.

Tumbler777 · 22/05/2026 20:56

I'd expect the child to be very much like Sheldon ...

TheignT · 22/05/2026 20:52

loislovesstewie · 22/05/2026 20:51

There was a dog in our village who we called SexyRexy. He had a habit of escaping his garden and mating with females who were on heat. A rather attractive Retriever.

That made me laugh.

loislovesstewie · 22/05/2026 20:51

There was a dog in our village who we called SexyRexy. He had a habit of escaping his garden and mating with females who were on heat. A rather attractive Retriever.

TheignT · 22/05/2026 20:48

ThreeStripeQueen · 21/05/2026 14:34

Rex is cute for a 9 year old but I can’t imagine your average middle aged bloke being called Rex.

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I used to work with a Rex. His nickname was SexyRex. He seemed happy enough. He looked like Oliver Reed

TheignT · 22/05/2026 20:45

foreversunshine · 20/05/2026 15:14

Makes me think of the angel from Wonderful Life. That's neither a good or bad thing, though.

I think it's a bit of a mouthful and doesn't have a common nick-name to smooth the edges. I know lots of people don't want or like nicknames but I think Clarence is of the same ilk as Edward, Alfred, Theodore, Harold, Frederick, Arthur etc that are gaining in popularity, except those all have commonly-known nick-names that take the edge off the harshness of the 'oldie times' vibe.

Makes me think of Clarence the cross-eyed Lion. Which is odd as it's a programme I never watched

pipthomson · 22/05/2026 20:43

Gracefullywalking · 20/05/2026 14:54

I need to know if I've gone mad. This name is not a name that I would have even considered before I fell pregnant, but it continues to grow on me the more that I've thought about it. I just think Clarence sounds like a cute name for a little boy and would also sound mature in adulthood. Thoughts?

I like it and would mature well as you say
better than some of the “ Disney “ names some parents are coming up with at the moment ( some people are unable to fast forward)

SueKeeper · 22/05/2026 14:44

I think of Clarence Darrow, who was kick-ass, which is ironic as I'd put it in the category of "names I find wet but are increasingly popular, especially in the south of England," like Walter and Rupert.

I also know a lot of people called the "similar" names mentioned here, such as Wilbur, as our school has a lot of kids who have come from China and are not aware of the context of a name. So it would most likely be fine to this generation.

VillyFuff2022 · 22/05/2026 14:01

I think it sounds like a little peaky blinda name. I’ve got a strong Thurrock accent and we’d definitely shorten it to “clal” I love it. I’d imagine it would depend on your circle though and accent. My mates girl is Scarlett and is called scar, not great tbh 🙈

SirChenjins · 22/05/2026 11:46

Give him a nice name and Clarence as a middle name - then when he gets a bit older he can decide whether he likes his name or prefers his mum's hormonal-driven choice.

WhereTheWeatherSuitsMyClothes · 22/05/2026 11:42

'Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. 'atta boy Clarence!'

I can only really here it in Jimmy Stewarts voice but I actually rather like it!

Sheepsmellnice · 21/05/2026 23:24

My husbands grandad was Clarence but always went by Clarrie. HIs wife was Florence who went by Florrie. So Clarrie and Florrie always made me chuckle they were a lovely couple though.

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 21/05/2026 20:10

loislovesstewie · 21/05/2026 18:44

Please don't, truly awful. As is Wilbur.

well if we all liked the same name it would make for a very boring world. And Clarence isn’t awful and Wilbur definitely isn’t. I think people grow into names and my three children all have less traditional names and their friends just accept their name. It’s always the adults who have difficulty 🤷🏻‍♀️

loislovesstewie · 21/05/2026 18:44

Please don't, truly awful. As is Wilbur.

beadystar · 21/05/2026 18:27

I like the name Clarence but wouldn’t do it to the boy. Maybe a middle name?

VeganSteakAndFries · 21/05/2026 17:39

rwalker · 21/05/2026 16:39

Another vote for Wilbur great name but the standard option for wil so best if both worlds

neighbour has Barnerby he’s a toddler now always gets Barney

I’d spell it Barnaby
Wilbur is terrible!

VeganSteakAndFries · 21/05/2026 17:38

as a box of frogs! 🐸

Allseeingallknowing · 21/05/2026 17:33

Sounds rather posh!

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 21/05/2026 17:27

Words · 21/05/2026 06:25

Great name for a cat, a horse, or an air traffic controller ( have I got clearance, Clarence?)
why do ‘hormones’ play a part in bizarre name choices?
I know someone who was considering Wilbur. Dear lord…

As someone with an unusual name (which I’ve grown to like) I’d always say, think about the baby as an adult. The last thing people want to do ime is explain all about their name to people who ask. That’s not to say I think unusual names are bad, my DB has named both his sons unusual names.

rwalker · 21/05/2026 16:39

Another vote for Wilbur great name but the standard option for wil so best if both worlds

neighbour has Barnerby he’s a toddler now always gets Barney

gigglygrace · 21/05/2026 16:27

SabrinaThwaite · 20/05/2026 15:31

Clarence was the cross eyed lion in Daktari.

This 😀