Names touted as "very popular" on here

[SomeSunnySunday]

I have noticed the name which we have chosen for our baby girl, due in 4 months, mentioned as being "very popular" and a "one of 3 in a class" name on here quite a few times recently.

I want to avoid a very, very popular name (probably top 20). However we don't know, or even know of, a single other baby, child or adult with this name (and as a mother of 2 young children, I go to a lot of activity groups etc so come across a lot of children). There are no children with this name in DC1's primary school, and when I checked the name stats for Scotland (where we live) for last year, it is listed at 155 (which I am fine with!).

Does the mumsnet demographic skew people's opinions? Are lots of posters London based? Do mumsnetters know something I don't - have hundreds of babies been given this name in the last year, and is it about to explode with popularity?

I'm just curious really, as I thought it was a less-used name than many.

I think it might depend on where you live though, Mama? Don't get wrong, I don't dislike it at all, but it would really stand out where we are (and probably be perceived as pretentious). I suspect you could get away with a lot more in a big city or more multicultural urban area?

Not too popular here, I like it.

I'm in the Midlands with 3 kids and have yet to encounter a Clara. It is a lovely name though

Never met a Clara :)

OP Government statistics for names given in England and Wales for 2013 are due to be published next week (I think). Check this site:
www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-318071

In 2012, Clara was not in the top 100: www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/aug/12/top-100-baby-names-2012-girls-boys-list

It might be interesting for you to see whether it has 'climbed' there in 2013.

Clara is not overly popular. I'm in London and know of one child Clara. Fabulous name!

Lovely name OP. I think it is probably climbing to some extent but don't think it can be called "very popular" at all! And I doubt it will become the latest fad. So dont let yourself be put off.

I know a baby Clara and I think it's on the up but it was no. 179 in England and Wales in 2012 so it's even less popular than in Scotland, but yes it is increasing. It's been steadily increasing though so I don't think it's a problem. It's names like Ava that suddenly shoot up out of nowhere that you want to avoid if you don't want a popular name (it went from 204 to 6 in 10 years in E&W whereas Clara was in the late 200s 10 years ago so it hasn't increased by a huge amount).

I really think it's a regional thing. I can see Clara more being popular in London and the South East, and it probably depends on people's social circles. I know Olivia was no. 1 for ages but I don't think of it as popular as I only know two and they're both adults. It's strange how it varies.

Use Clara. I think it will get more popular but I don't think it's going to be top 20 any time soon.

Never met one, don't know any , love it .

I like it but had to rule out because it didn't go with surname.

I prefer Lara though.

There was a thread yesterday on Sophia. The little girl wanted to change her name because it was too popular.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2154016-my-daughter-hates-her-name-Sophia-as-too-common-and-wants-to-change-it?pg=1&order=

Then again I suppose you can dislike your name whatever it is.

I doubt there will be two or more Claras in a class.

I have volunteers in a primary school for 8 years, and never come across a Clara.

Most of MN's "very popular" and "one of 3 in a class" names are ones that aren't used where I live.

I don't know anyone of any age who is called Clara.

Clara is my chosen name and I have the same fear? More and more people asking if it is too popular on here.

I've taught infants for 7 years now, and have never taught, or met, a Clara.

I wouldn't worry.

I wouldn't describe it as very popular but it certainly looks like it's heading that way... names.darkgreener.com/#clara

i know two Claras, a 16yo and an 8/9yo.

I love love love Persephone but just wouldn't have the balls, frankly, to call my daughter that.

My daughter is an Annie. When I called her Annie, I didn't know of any others at all. Since then (she's now almost 8), two of her friends have little sisters called Annie. One Mum openly admits she liked the name and "pinched" it (she also has an Evie and an Elsie so Annie fits nicely). The other says it was a coincidence.

Either way, I don't care. Annie was my Nan's name and I loved it. (The film though, admittedly, is bloody annoying.)

Clara is beautiful, go for it.

It's lovely. I would have used it for DD - but too close to my own name. Likely to get more popular now (it's 'old-fashioned enough' to be 'in').

I love the name Annie. Not Ann. Not Anna. Annie!

Thanks for the reassurance and nice comments, and for the link, Banana, which doesn't worry me - it's still a long way outside of the top 100. I am just keen to avoid a very, very popular name, and am comfortable now that we are quite safe with Clara (although I don't think you should use it, Sleepy, it's far too popular, she'll be one of 5 in her class ;-))

I know of a couple of babies recently called Clara but I think it's the Doctor Who link where the popularity has come from around the people I know.

I know an adult Clara - in her 50s maybe? No younger Claras. I know Laras, Lanas and Zaras at school, but no Claras.

Clara makes me think of the girl in The Nutcracker. Nice name.

I think of the Nutcracker too, Bigfoot (and Heidi). She is due in December, so I am fondly imagining birthday trips to the ballet in a few years....

Only taught 1 Clara in 11 yrs and she's lovely. Fab name.