Is this name too “out there”?

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bartyfum · 02/11/2026 21:15

Sunbringer · 02/11/2026 21:14

I mean a Calla Lily is a flower. Saying something sounds a bit like something else in a language rarely used in the UK is silly. Ben means faeces in Japanese but you don’t see Benjamin going anywhere

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Yeah, I also thought this was a really unhelpful and quite unpleasant comment. The OP didn’t ask for feedback on the name of her older child. And I bet this poster wouldn’t oppose the name Callam / Callum due to its connections in a foreign language.

Sunbringer · 02/11/2026 21:14

localnotail · 01/11/2026 18:02

Alara is like Italian Allora? So really weird as a name. Calla sounds a bit like Cal to me which is faeces in Russian.

I mean a Calla Lily is a flower. Saying something sounds a bit like something else in a language rarely used in the UK is silly. Ben means faeces in Japanese but you don’t see Benjamin going anywhere

Theotheron · 02/11/2026 16:20

LBFseBrom · 01/11/2026 16:00

I looked up Alara and got this:

Radiation Safety & Engineering Principle (ALARA)

Definition: Stands for As Low As Reasonably Achievable (or As Low As Reasonably Practicable [ALARP] in the UK). 1, 2]

It's also the name of a wholesale foods business.

Calla means 'shut up' and is also the name of a company that sells shoes for bunions and wide feet,

Alara is a safe name then.

Lovetoswim17 · 02/11/2026 14:55

denji · 26/10/2026 08:23

Having third baby in March, 2nd girl. First girl is Calla.
Initially we liked Alana (ah-lan-uh)

But I know far too many Alaina’s (all variations: Elena, Alayna, etc), Alana’s, Alina’s (Aleena)… everything is just so similar..

I saw a name yesterday I’ve never heard of.. I’ve heard of “Alora”, but this was “Alara”. I thought it was so pretty. It’s ranked in the top 600s… so I’m assuming it’s “heard of”. But is it too out there?

It makes me think of "alarm". Alora is pretty though. I know an Alora who's a fun, sweet and confident little girl so maybe I'm biased by that, but I like it.

GlasgowCelt · 02/11/2026 13:58

denji · 26/10/2026 08:23

Having third baby in March, 2nd girl. First girl is Calla.
Initially we liked Alana (ah-lan-uh)

But I know far too many Alaina’s (all variations: Elena, Alayna, etc), Alana’s, Alina’s (Aleena)… everything is just so similar..

I saw a name yesterday I’ve never heard of.. I’ve heard of “Alora”, but this was “Alara”. I thought it was so pretty. It’s ranked in the top 600s… so I’m assuming it’s “heard of”. But is it too out there?

I’m an Alana and we struggled for a name for our 2nd girl and I came across Elara… very similar and we love it. Never met another Elara, it’s a moon of Jupiter.

GGee123 · 02/11/2026 07:10

I don't think Alara is "out there" at all! It's a pretty name & if you love it, go for it.

dahliadream · 01/11/2026 18:46

I know an Alara, and I never considered it as being 'out there'.

localnotail · 01/11/2026 18:04

FFS give your kids some normal names... Elena. Alena. Alyona. Lena.

localnotail · 01/11/2026 18:02

Alara is like Italian Allora? So really weird as a name. Calla sounds a bit like Cal to me which is faeces in Russian.

Humblebumbley · 01/11/2026 17:44

I know an Alara, it’s an unusual but pretty name. I don’t think it’s too out there, as long as you’re prepared to repeat it or spell it out a bit more often that a common name.

EmmaB1309 · 01/11/2026 16:33

faerylune · 26/10/2026 09:23

Alara is too similar to Alana. Your kid will be mistaken for Alana all the time. I would just use Alana since you like it more. I do like Alara and Alana, but I wouldn't choose name solely based on being 'different' or 'unusual'.

Edited

No, it’s unique but I don’t think it’s ’out there’ nor do I think it will be mistaken for Alana, except by people with half a brain cell. It’s pretty.

LBFseBrom · 01/11/2026 16:00

I looked up Alara and got this:

Radiation Safety & Engineering Principle (ALARA)

Definition: Stands for As Low As Reasonably Achievable (or As Low As Reasonably Practicable [ALARP] in the UK). 1, 2]

It's also the name of a wholesale foods business.

Calla means 'shut up' and is also the name of a company that sells shoes for bunions and wide feet,

As low as reasonably practicable - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_low_as_reasonably_practicable

Mrsgreen44 · 01/11/2026 15:56

I like both Alara and Alora, they’re not ‘well-known. I like names which aren’t popular at the time, my girl is Edith. Not many about but still known and valid 😊

blueskies23 · 01/11/2026 14:54

How about Laragh (pronounced Lara), it's a lake in Wicklow

HellieOldie · 01/11/2026 14:20

Elora is a beautiful name

denji · 28/10/2026 19:03

This reply has been hidden

This reply has been hidden until the MNHQ team can have a look at it.

CentrifugalBumblePuppy · 28/10/2026 15:29

It’s a beautiful name!

It’d be handy (or maybe confusing) if she ever enters the radiological/nuclear engineering field as it’s the acronym for As Low As Reasonably Achievable to keep radiation dose rates within statutory requirements in the US!

Only know that as a nuke nerd tho!

ETA clarification of US use not UK.

EntirelyUnnecessary · 28/10/2026 13:59

I don't mind Alara although my mind did immediately go to Alara Wholefoods muesli. I don't think they are that well known as a brand though.

I don't like Alora for the same reasons as pp that it sounds the same as an Italian filler word

canklesmctacotits · 28/10/2026 13:51

Alara is fine - quite bland (not too out there at all 😂). It sounds a bit like A Lara (any one, pick on) so I’d prefer Elara personally.

That’s said, Alora sounds exactly like the Italian for “so” or “now”, a filler word that seems to begin everything other sentence they utter! It’s like an Italian person calling their daughter “anyways” 😂

Hoork · 28/10/2026 13:19

It’s nice and not too out there

AlwaysExtraHot · 28/10/2026 13:18

NamingNoNames · 27/10/2026 14:50

@AlwaysExtraHot , you are annoying. I'm out.

Dear me

Sunbringer · 28/10/2026 11:50

How about Aletheia? It’s Greek for Truth/ unconcealedness and she was Godess of truth (known as Veritas in Roman pantheon)

user1492757084 · 28/10/2026 10:43

Try out names without L and A.

Calla and ..
Susanna
Louise
Bridie
Victoria
Tess
Ida

fourcamels · 27/10/2026 18:40

There’s an Alara in 4yo DC2’s class. A lovely, pretty, normal name.

You could also try Elora? Or Eliora.

MissL001 · 27/10/2026 18:11

Ive always thought the name "Elara" is super pretty !!