Clara or Alma?

[moolive]

Ok, I know this is weird... but I am considering changing my baby dd's name (within the first year when you can still do it). She's called Clara. I really like the name Clara, obviously, but I worry it's a bit staid and becoming very popular. Recently I can't help thinking she's more of an Alma - it seems more distinctive and individual to me. She usually gets called by a nickname anyway (which would stay the same, regardless of actual name), so I don't think she'd notice the change. So what are your thoughts on Clara vs Alma? Or do you think it's just too weird to change a baby's name that family and friends have used got to?

Alma is pretty, old fashioned but sweet.

Clara 100% I would have it on my list if baby wasn't a boy and it wasn't very similar to dsds name!

Alma just doesn't have the classic, classy, beautiful edge, it makes me think of a middle aged, plain lady.

Alba is a lovely alternative though?

Alma looks like lama or alpaca or something furry with a long neck. I like Clara

I'd definitely stick with Clara - it's lovely. Alma is quite harsh-sounding, and seems dated to me. The image it conjures in my mind is of a brash,
chain-smoking middle-aged woman who wears lots of leopard print and sports a '60s beehive. I'm sure it'll come back into fashion at some point, but not yet. Clara is infinitely nicer!

(Liking Alita7's suggestion of Alba though - has a completely different feel for some reason.)

Wow, thanks for all the responses. Pretty unanimously Clara! To answer some of the questions: I haven't gone off Clara, but I never totally loved it either. Her dad prefers Alma. The nickname is a sort of baby name, not one she would use out of the house, so the real name does still matter. Alba is nice but l prefer Alma. As for saving it for another dd - she's my fourth, so I think I'm stopping there! I think it comes down to: do you choose a name you really like that's unusual and hope your child will too, or do you choose a safer name she is unlikely to ever hate?

I would go with the latter, purely because you're not just naming a baby but a future adult (she's your 4th I know you know that!), save the "really love it but it's likely to be problematic" names for pets.

If you didn't think Alma would be a problem then I'd say go ahead, use it though Clara is far nicer. But if even you think it may be a problem, it's a no isn't it?

There is a character in the St Clare's books called Alma Pudden who was described as Pudden like IIRC so for that reason Clara.

There was also the very talented, tragic and controversial Alma Cogan

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alma_Cogan

That's who I think of when I hear the name.

I also remember the Alma from the Enid Blyton books - Mallory towers? She was called Alma Pudden and was fat, greedy and unpopular.

Clara.

Alma is horrible

Another vote for Clara, really not keen on Alma

Alma is horrible. I wouldn't grow to like that. I also hate queenie. I like Elsa and Mabel though. Some names are just horrible. Clara is lovely btw.

Hello OP!!! Can you let me know what you decided on? Love Alma by the way.

I much prefer Clara. And I wouldn't call it either staid or over-popular.

However it does sound like you and your husband both prefer Alma. It's not too late to change, and I usually think it's a good idea if there is serious name regret.

It’s probably a bit late to change now. Clara / Alma is six years old.

Hahaha @ZoyaTheDestroyer! This appeared up in my search for Alma . It would be interesting to hear from OP if she ever did change it and how she feels about Alma/Clara now.

I actually like Alma....

I absolutely love Alma. Dislike Clara sorry. I knew a lovely girl called Alma. I believe it means warm soul somewhere and this girl literally lived up to her name. She was such a kind, generous warm hearted person. Alma is underused

Oooopps just realised this thread is is 6yrs old!!!!! 😂 😂 😂 😂 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

I agree @Jj2431, I think people dislike it because of corrie/granny connotations. But when you think of the name without that, it's gentle but strong and the meaninhg is lovely.

Defo Clara

LOVE Clara !!!

I don't like Clara at all. Alma is ok.

I had a girl in my year group called clara who was uptight and just the hated girl of the year so unfortunately I associate it with that, but alma reminds me of an arsey elderly woman I know so I dont like either tbh, maybe just drop the L and go with cara