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?

[molly84]

Alma is pretty, old fashioned but sweet.

[Alita7]

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?

[YouMakeMeHappy]

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

[DiamondsAndRust]

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.)

[moolive]

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?

[Alisvolatpropiis]

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?

[Notso]

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.

[florascotia]

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.

[maggiethemagpie]

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

[Bowlersarm]

Clara.

Alma is horrible

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Another vote for Clara, really not keen on Alma

[VirkeligRodet]

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.

[upsidedown1987]

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

[MercyBodle]

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.

[ZoyaTheDestroyer]

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

[upsidedown1987]

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.

[Flappingflamingo]

I actually like Alma....

[Jj2431]

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

[Flappingflamingo]

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

[upsidedown1987]

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.

[NWnature]

Defo Clara

[Whatsyourflava]

LOVE Clara !!!

[MikeUniformMike]

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

[Jd1313]

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