Clarence

[Vintagejazz]

I heard of someone calling her baby boy this recently. I don't know of any other Clarences in real life, just in old books. Wondering what other people think of the name?

It's the kind of name I'd happily give to a jack russell, but not to a human boy. It's a bit weedy and doesn't have any shortenings. Although the lovely angel in It's A Wonderful Life is a Clarence.

It actually reminds me of the kind of lisping, golden haired, smock clad boys that William Brown of the William books used to absolutely loath.

Too soft. I like hard sounds in names for boys. I prefer Conrad.

I knew a Clarence in his 90s who went by Clarry, never met a young one though.

I've never liked Clarence. I think it sounds sweet, but a little dim. I don't think there are many accents in which this sounds attractive.

It always makes me think of Chief Wiggam, even though his name is Clancy.

Sounds like a hapless chap name

Clarence always says 'It's a Wonderful Life' to me - I rather like it. It's really more of a cat name than a human name but it is still lovely. I think DH and I discussed it for DC1 (who turned out to be a girl anyway) and I liked it but he didn't so much.

I knew an guy from Nigeria called Clarence who was very cool.

It's reminds me of the name Laurence, which I love.

I know a Clarence, he's mid-twenties I'd say and it really suits him! It would definitely not suit my kid though.

My friend named her clarinet Clarence when we were at school. I had a cello named Beethoven

I feel sorry for the child though, it's a horrible name and definitely not fashionable now. He can't even shorten it either. I genuinely didn't know that it was a male name until right now

Makes me think of "Clarence the Cross Eyed Lion". So, it's a no from me.

I don't like it. It sounds effeminate.(Is that an offensive word/point of view?)

I think of an elderly gent wearing a cravat in a house that hasn't been updated since the fifties. He has a routine... breakfast is a boiled egg, a buttered crumpet for elevenses, then boiled ham and tomatoes for lunch... all washed down with weak tea poured from a little brown pot that is kept on a tray covered with a cloth.

It's funny what images a name can conjure up!

It's a name that was in vogue about 100 years ago among Irish Catholics both in Ireland and abroad. The two I know or know of are the late DH of my grandfather's sister, and the late DH of exMIL's sister. One Irish and one Polish-Irish.

I much prefer Clement.

Its the name of Christian Slaters character in the film True Romance, I love the film, love the character and love the name.

Think Clarry is a cool nn as well. Also love Laurence, although its my best friends husbands name and might raise a few eyebrows if we called our baby that!

Love it. Reminds me of True Romance.

Love it. Also Lawrence

It's a perfect name

It's the perfect combination of being rare and unique but also doesn't sound like the parents are trying too hard to be quirky

I wish I had a boy to use this name! All girls though here

BeyoncesCat, me too! Love True Romance. Definitely a cool connection.

I like it. It should have come back in with Arthur etc but it hasn't, which makes it even better

Clara and Florence are popular for girls, so why not Clarence for boys? It definitely fits with the "old man name trend" and sounds similar to Lawrence. I'd like to see it used more often.

I like Clement but I know so many cat's called Clarence it's become an animal name to me. Objectively it's fine, quite nice, it will need a bit more exposure and it may pick up again in popularity.

Glad you like the name Clarence, MissHenty, but please don't resurrect any more zombie threads just to tell us so!