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Baby names

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

Original poster

is Clara just too much of an "old womans" name?

69 replies

hugglebug · 15/12/2008 17:30

Can i have your thoughts on this please as i'd really like to put it on our short list but DH thinks it's too old for a baby name.
OUR other contenders are:
Lucy, Ruby, Niamh & Scarlett
Thanks

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prettybutterfly · 19/12/2008 20:46

Clara pretty cool. Good choice!

walkingprimrose · 19/12/2008 20:20

My DD is a Clara! Everyone else in the world is forbidden from using this name. Maybe that's bit harsh so... OK there can be one Clara per city / major town only. Please apply to me in writing first. x

JackieNoCribForABed · 17/12/2008 13:44

I love Clara too - made me think of the little girl in the Nutcracker story.

BlueChampagne · 17/12/2008 13:39

Clara's not old lady at all - I thought of Heidi's friend first, so therefore it seems forever young to me. Then thought of Clara Bow. I think it's classy and unusual without being unheard of, IYSWIM. Good luck convincing DH!

Clary · 17/12/2008 01:00

I like Clara

Tho I would say it Clare-a - my aunt (who is 80-odd) is Clare-a so that's not a recent idea.

Niamh is suddenly popular here, Lucy fairly, Scarlett and Ruby also not uncommon, if that bothers you.

Liffey how funny - I know a 6yo Stephen and a 2yo Jennifer!

TooMuchMakkaPakka · 17/12/2008 00:53

I like Clara. Clara and Lucy are the best on your list, but Clara is more unusual.
I also like Carla and Cara (both of which may sound a bit 'younger' but obviously have different roots / meanings).

londontipton · 16/12/2008 21:37

I have a scarlet and a clara (lucky me) they are fab names, think clara will "age" better as a name than scarlet though..

Original poster
hugglebug · 16/12/2008 21:18

I'm planning for it to be pronounced clar- rah. I do also like Cara but feel it's not as "gentle" in its pronounciation as Clara.
Thank you all for your comments, i'll be making DH read this tonight.

OP posts:
joyfuleyes · 16/12/2008 18:25

It's beautiful, best one on the list

ninah · 16/12/2008 17:20

my friend has a Klara

CatchaChristmasStar · 16/12/2008 17:18

Clara is a beautiful name, I love it.

MrsMattie · 16/12/2008 17:16

Clara is lovely.

ramonaquimby · 16/12/2008 17:15

is gorgeous name

Ruby, Scarlett, and Niamh all very 'done' I think

MadamePlatypus · 16/12/2008 17:12

`Its absolutely lovely. Particularly good for a Christmas baby.

Jenbottleofeggnog · 16/12/2008 17:04

My DD is Clara!

EsmeWeatherwax · 16/12/2008 14:44

Oh, what a lovely name! Clara that is. I hadn't even thought of it, but its now in the running for dd2 due in April. Thanks!

treacletart · 16/12/2008 14:43

my french niece is Clara. I think its a lovely name. My brother and his dw chose it because it works well in french and english. ewan Macgregor also has a bilingual daughter with the same name. Definitely not an old lady's name and getting quite popular too.

Smilewearingthin · 16/12/2008 14:38

Clara and Lucy are my favourites from your list. Both are beautiful names with a nice meaning (light).

Don't like Scarlett, I'm afraid. Your daughter might not feel able to live up to the 'bright red' billing, if you see what I mean.

Niamh is lovely too but there will be inevitable spelling problems. Not that that should necessarily put you off.

bessmum · 16/12/2008 00:04

Clara is lovely, much prefer it to the others on your list

Ponders · 15/12/2008 23:17

Do you say Claire-ah or Clarr-ah?

Clarr-ah was the lorry driver (?) on Pigeon Street - I always thought it was a cool name.

Have always loved Lucy too - was never able to use it for a DD so gave it to a rabbit instead

noiamnot · 15/12/2008 23:14

clara is lovely.

nix on Scarlett

Twinklemegan · 15/12/2008 23:07

Clara is by far the best on the list. I'd imagine all old ladies called Clara will called Clara when they were babies too! She'll only be a baby for about one eightieth of her life after all.

I loved the TV adaptation of Heidi and that's what immediately sprang to mind. Nothing wrong with that. It might even go on my list for any future daughter.

RachieB · 15/12/2008 23:01

I love it and not at all old ladyish which i hate!

RachieB · 15/12/2008 23:01

I love it and not at all old ladyish which i hate!

BikeRunSki · 15/12/2008 21:38

It was on my list in case DS was a DD. But I live in Yorkshire, not fashiony London.