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Baby names

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

Clara

41 replies

allrags · 08/06/2012 15:59

How would you pronounce this name? I like Clara to rhyme with 'dare-a' rather than Clara to rhyme with 'Tara'. Is it ok to pronounce it either way?

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squoosh · 08/06/2012 16:07

I pronounce it to rhyme with Tara. I didn't even realise there was an alternate pronunciation until it was mentioned on here by someone else. It it a North of England thing?

But yes it does seem as though there are two pronunciations.

Badgerina · 08/06/2012 16:37

Clara is my Mum's name. I love it.

I don't think the "Clare-ah" pn. exists. It's Clara (rhymes with Tara).

everlong · 08/06/2012 16:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BellaOfTheBalls · 08/06/2012 16:50

Clar-rah

I love love love love love it. The main character in my favourite books is called Clara. I've always wanted to use it but it is on DH's Veto List.

JimbosJetSet · 08/06/2012 17:33

I know a toddler called Clara, pronounced 'Clair-a.' Her family are from the North of England, is it more common to use that pronounciation up North perhaps?

Lunarlyte · 08/06/2012 18:01

Clah-ruh is how I'd say it (W.Mids accent). Love the name, btw!

AnnaFender · 08/06/2012 18:02

The only Clara I know is one I went to school with and is a 'Clair-a' (to rhyme with dare-a), I am in the north west. I thought both were accepted pronunciations. I prefer 'Clair-a'. You will probably have to correct people at first but people will soon remember which pronunciation you use.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 08/06/2012 18:04

I'd rhyme it with Tara too. Never heard of it pronounced another way.

ggirl · 08/06/2012 18:04

have always loved this name but I change the way i pronounce it each time i say it..that's helpful isn't it Grin

StepOutOfSpring · 08/06/2012 18:10

Rhyming with Tara.

Selks · 08/06/2012 18:13

Tara

MrsLetch · 08/06/2012 19:26

My friend's DD is Clara.

They rhyme it with Tara.

As would I.

Lovely name though.

Stellan · 08/06/2012 19:30

I would spell it Claira to ensure you get the pronunciation you desire unless you live in America. Claire-uh seems to be the most common way of saying Clara in the US.

metrognome · 08/06/2012 19:35

I know a two Claras- one rhymes with Tara and one is pronounced Clair-a (West Mids). I do think most people would assume it rhymes with Tara though.

strawberrypenguin · 08/06/2012 19:36

I would rhyme with Tara didn't know there was another way of saying it!

wasabipeanut · 08/06/2012 19:37

I have a Clara - rhyme with Tara. You gave excellent taste in names! :)

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 08/06/2012 19:38

One of my best friends is Clara pronounced Claire-ah and I love it. Canadian though, so maybe that accounts for the difference.

scottishmummy · 08/06/2012 19:41

Clara rhyme with Tara
Clare-ah isn't how people will say cla-ra
so do be aware or you're set for lifetime of asserting your incorrect preference

Hope88 · 09/06/2012 11:28

Tara

PercyFilth · 09/06/2012 13:42

It's only relatively recently that I've been hearing Clah-ra. My mother's generation all said it Clair-a.

PercyFilth · 09/06/2012 13:46

'Behind The Name' is imo the most authoritative name site, and it gives both pronunciations for English. Everyone else says it Clah-ra as you would expect.

EllenParsons · 09/06/2012 19:06

I think the claire-a pronounciation is American?

I say Clah-ra and I really like it that way. Claire-a sounds a bit odd to me.

PercyFilth · 09/06/2012 19:54

No, I think it's just changing fashions. The Claras in my family were called Clair-a (old ladies when I knew them) and no American input.

Certainly Clah-ra if you're in mainland Europe, though, at any time. I would expect that to influence the US pronunciation.

Badgerina · 10/06/2012 11:08

I really think this is a tomayto/tomahto issue.

The name is Clah-ra. Some accents render it Clair-ah.

Badgerina · 10/06/2012 11:10

The name Oscar is pn. Ascar in America, just to further illustrate my point.

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