What are your thoughts on the name Claudia?

[SleepyFergus]

We already have a DD Isabella, and I rather think Claudia goes well with it. What do people think, and what suggestions for a second name?

Also do you know any Claudias? I don't, which also appeals as I think its relatively underused.

TIA

Claudius, the Roman emperor, was physically challenged. His family name the Claudii preceded him, and was an existing Republican family name without the associations of his particular disabilities.

The Claudii were very powerful, very erudite and very interesting.

And so what, if he was disabled?

Look, the op has asked for our thoughts on the name Claudia. That is what we're all giving. Some of us don't like the fact that it has an unfortunate meaning i.e. associations. No need to get defensive about it .

I'm really happy about my love of things Roman. And Status Quo.

I like it....and would pronounce it Clawdia not Cloudier, but both versions sound pretty.

Middle names:
Claudia Jane
Claudia Alice
Claudia Emily
Claudia Romilly
Claudia Cecily (if you want to use CC as a nickname )
Claudia Hero
Claudia Hope

Love it. Lifetime fan of Claudia Kishi from the BSC.

Oh I loved her too, Terrier! Didn't she always have a stash of junk food in her bedroom?
I think Claudia is a gorgeous name, OP. Go for it :).

Yes she did! And the best wardrobe ever (circa 1980's)

Claudia, first name of CJ in the West Wing - possibly the best female character on TV EVER! She was a Claudia Jane...

I really like the name, always have, and the Latin meaning has never put me off. It is often trotted out on 'Claudia' threads as if it's somehow a fait accompli that the meaning should render it unusable.

I mean, so what? It has no bearing on your Claudia (name-meanings aren't contagious ), and besides, what's so dreadful about being lame, really? There's loads of German women wandering around with the name, not bothered by it.

My name means 'devoted to God'; suffice to say, I'm not.

After the Damned song? Love it.

I used to work for a German company and met lots of Claudias - it's quite a common name over there. So my associations are all tinged by that (not a good thing). Over in Europe I think they all use the 'cloudier' pronunciation.

Not that this matters a jot, of course.

Thanks again for all the feedback. I'm not too concerned with the Latin derivation, I don't think people really look at that now as much as they used to (do they?). I did Latin and don't recall that anyway! was a long time ago mind

I like Jane as a middle name too, it's mine also so might be quite sweet to keep it.

Just have to decide on a boys name now.....

You have very good taste. Claudia is my No. 1 pick for a girl - let's hope I have one. The meaning of it really doesn't bother me - in fact I quite like the fact that the meaning puts a lot of people off - means it will unlikely ever become very popular.

I'd pronounce it claw-dia also. These are the middle names I have pondered:
Claudia Grace
Claudia Nicole
Claudia Violet
Claudia April
Claudia Annalise
Claudia Gabrielle
Claudia Alexandra
Claudia Hope
Claudia Avery
Claudia Nancy

I LOVE it, and I wished I'd thought of it for dd. She's a right little Claudia too. I think it is very strong/ stubborn, but also feminine. very of you!

Those of you who say the meaning doesn't bother you: it is not you but your daughter who has to live with the name.

I was going to say 'more cloudy' but I see you're going for the 'claw-dia' pronunciation. Lovely!

I like it a lot, many names have unfortunate original meanings & associations. So what? Do we cling to that original meaning forever?
Tempest, Tristan, Dolores, Cecilia, James, Mallory, Jezebel, Deirdre, Calvin, Cameron, Persephone, Hamlet. None of them has a positive original meaning.

Each person makes the name their own.

My maiden name is Cameron which means squint nose. I don't have a squint nose and I haven't grown up traumatised by people whispering behind my back "oi, check out squint nose"

So Sonniebonnie. I think you need to take a bit of a chill pill. :)

So basically, it is a very beautiful name, with a great nickname ('Claudie').

And I would argue that etymologically it doesn't mean 'lame', but even if it did it would hardly matter because it is all couched in interesting but essentially (to us) harmless ancient narrative.

Exactly Linerunner, thanks! :)

sonnie - by that rationale you would never end up agreeing on a name for your child, because you can never be certain, pre-birth, that the adult your child will become, will like their name.

You make your choices for your own reasons and weigh up the various pros and cons, and come to a decision. You usually don't make it lightly.

And in any case, I say again, so what? Just because there may be some historical connection with the word 'lame', it has zero bearing on the person with that name. They won't be any more or less likely to be lame, just because of their name. I certainly don't think 'lame' when I think of Claudia Schiffer.

There seem to be certain names which people get rather a bee in their bonnet over the meaning or origin, such as Claudia, whilst other names with distinct associations don't come in for anywhere near the same scrutiny ( see ragged's list).

Sounds like you've made up your mind about Claudia and that you'd rather not hear my (honest) opinion on the name, in which case I'll not mention it again and wish you good luck .

LOVE!

great name! loved it since Interview With a Vampire, that's not meant to put you off btw