Clara... big increase in popularity according to latest stats...last minute alternatives?

[kaycat]

Expecting in a few weeks and have I liked Clara since the beginning. One of my criteria is that I do not want a top 100 or trending name (I know many people will say that this shouldn't worry me, but as I myself have a very common and dated name, it does bother me and I would very much like to avoid a trending name if poss ). Just looked at the recently published 2013 stats and Clara has gradually increased in popularity over the past few years but in the past year alone gained 40 places to 139. It's starting to feel like Clara could be the next vintage high climber like Amelia/Florence? (no disrespect - I adore these names but they have become extremely popular). Should I be worried? Also, does anyone have any other suggestions? DH is very keen on Clara so it may be that we do stick with it, but having a wobble!

Even though there are orib inky a thousand kids with the name, which is nothing in the grand scheme of things, I would avoid. Unless I adored that name.

It won't be as popular as Sophie, Isabel and eve as there is only one sp.

Clarinda
Clarissa
Carla
Carmella
Camilla
Camilia
Corisande
Cleonie
Tindra (scandi name meaning Sparkle)
Theonie
Fiona
Christabel

I would be worried that it might do an 'Isla' which has just gone top 5 this year having been pretty rare 10 years ago.

There was a thread the other day about Claire and a few people comparing it (favourably and unfavourably) to Clara. That would be the obvious option if you want something unusual for the new generation.

It'll probably slip a bit if Jenna Coleman leaves Doctor Who...

I don't really like names like Clara which have more than one pronunciation as I wouldn't want to be forever pointing out which one DD used (or saddle her with the chore for the rest of her life).

You cannot predict which names will leap ahead. One of my DC had a name which rose quite a lot. The names adjacent to it on the list of the year in question all fell away.

Two DC have 'top' 50 names. So what?

It's not like the 60/70s when the population was so much smaller and the numbers given the 'top' names much higher.

Go for Clarice or Clarabelle, or Clarissa or don't worry, as that is still pretty rare and it may not go any higher.

Whatever name you pick may gain in popularity though.

I really wouldn't pay any attention to the lists personally. DS is a 4 year old Harry. Has been the only Harry in both nurseries he has attended and is the only Harry is ks1 of his (40 pupils per year) school. Yet other names which are way down the list there are 3 of just in his class!

You can't predict local popularity.

I really wouldn't worry. Any name could zoom to the top 100 but its unlikely to reach the very top. Choose a name you really like above anything. Clara is very unlikely to be be the next Tracey.

I think it could get really popular and be the next Isla. Maybe it's the mumsnet effect as it seems popular on this board.

I prefer Clare

Cora is much more beautiful than Clara and much further down in the stats!

I'd be surprised if it didn't get more popular -names ending in a are having a moment- but I doubt it will be the next Isla... it is posher somehow! Don't think it has the class crossing appeal needed to leap into the top 5 (though of course I could be wrong).

DD had a rare name; DS has a name that has just leapt into the top 50 but I wouldn't change my choice if I had a time machine, I love them name, had bonded with the name and it suits him. If you love Clara (& it is lovely), go for it- once your Clara arrives you won't worry about any others.

I don't think Clara is "posh" - in fact I would say Amelia and Isabella sound "posher" to me (they certainly would have been considered very posh 20/30 years ago), however they are now examples of names which have become completely "classless". IMO, Clara is simply a "fresher" version of the name Clare - a name which very definitely had "cross class appeal" and was v v popular for many many years, I certainly think its popularity will continue to rise for the forthcoming years. It is a lovely name and I personally think you will regret not choosing it if you truly love it.

I think you're right. I haven't looked at the stats but I feel that Clara will rise more. (I think it's lovely though. My friend's dd is Clara and she's gorgeous with a gorgeous name, she's 11 though)

I think if you want to avoid a name that will rise you have a few options.

1. choose something that isn't conventionally pretty per se, eg Miriam, Esther, Margaret
2. choose a classic that can't date, like Rachel
3. choose something that is not 'next up' like Clara but a bit further round the corner. eg, so that when she is 20 there will be lots of children with the name. Eg, Meryl, Valerie, Rhoda (just examples to give you the time frame / style bracket)

I think pretty pretty names like Amelia and Isabella and sophia are on the way out and will be replaced by names with a more unisex or stronger sounding feel. Jmo. No offence, my daughter has a very feminine name. I named her according to the FEEL of the year she was born I guess.

We are in the same position. We are sticking with Clara and keeping our fingers crossed that its not the next Isla (I don't mind if it gets a bit more popular, just want it to stay out of the top 20).

In case it helps you, our other girls names which we seriously considered were
Louisa
Helena
Cora
Martha
I'm not sure where these sit in the stats - they may be more popular than Clara.

Cara
Cassie
Clementine
Callie

Claribel?

I think I said on another thread, I very much feel it could 'do an Isla'. It has all the properties:

-easy to spell;

• cultural references (DW);
• pretty;
• ending in an 'a';
• vintage feel;
• feels an original choice for those avoiding Sophia, Ava, etc.

Sorry. Depends if that bothers you.

If you have liked it since the beginning I would stick to it, to be honest.

Though I must admit that I felt disappointed at the absolutely massive leap my favourite girls name has taken. From around 2000th to the low 300's. I suspect it could do an Olivia at some point. Indeed it is very much a name that could be suggested to someone asking for a similar alternative to Olivia. Must have baby pronto

Stop bloody posting about it then! You're encouraging it!

Cara
Clarissa

Clara is lovely

Thank you all for your comments and honesty. We still adore the name but I really do think it could be very, very popular in the next few years. I'd never have believed that Sophia/Florence/Isla would climb to such dizzy heights and Clara does seem to tick the same boxes. Gggrrrr....have wanted the name forever (it was our girl's name when pregnant in 2010 with our DS Lucien) and unusually for me I didn't go off it. Just not sure I want to take the risk now, I think it would bother me having a top 20 (or even top 50) name, no matter how much I loved it. Any suggested alternatives very welcome! Some other names i like, but DH needs some serious persuading:

Aurelia
Honor
India
Isadora
Isolde
Greta
Ebren
Elowen

I always say this, because I never got to use it, but I adore the name Vivienne. I think it has that vintage feel, but a bit stronger, and the lack of a vowel (sound) ending makes it a bit different from a lot of currently popular names.

And yes, the current trend is very much for 'pretty' and vowel sound endings. My DD's name is outside the top 100, but climbing fast and I'm a bit worried it could get more common than I'd like. It has those properties too. My other two names don't follow current trends and seem to be staying solidly in their places.

Honor and Greta are absolutely gorgeous. Tbh I would pick one of those over Clara, lovely as it is.

I like Aurelia, Isadora (but prefer Isidora), although Izzy is currently a very popular nickname because of Isabella/Isabelle etc., Isolde, Greta, Ebren and Elowen. Not keen on Honor or India.