Clara or Harriet?

[DancerOnIce]

I really like Clara, but I have a feeling it’s suddenly going to become really popular.
Harriet had been our favourite for ages, but we’re starting to prefer Clara.
We also like Imogen, Phoebe, Cleo and Leila.
Any other suggestions along these lines?

I think I prefer Clara to Harriet. Flora is nice too, as is Claudia.

Harriet will age better/less fashionable

I prefer Clara and not a huge fan of Harriet but Hetty is cute

We have a Clara! Love both names though. Have only met one other Clara in two years.

Thank you all!
We’re finding it a lot harder to decide on a name this time around!
We’re also thinking of Autumn as a middle name which I know will divide opinion!
I like Hetty as a shortened version of Harriet, but really not keen on Hattie. Is this a reason to not go for Harriet do you think?
Flora and Claudia we couldn’t use for different reasons, but lovely suggestions!

I love Harriet nn Hetty. Harriet Autumn is very nice actually.

Clara is nice, but I know three aged between 6 & 10.

If middle name will be Autumn I think Harriet flows a lot better. Also, I don’t know about others, but Hetty is the nn I’d think of first when thinking of Harriet- plus I’m sure people would listen if you introduced her as a nn Hetty

Harriet

I like Clara, if she is called Harriet she might get called "Harriet the Spy". Even if kids aren't familiar with the book they'll know what it means. The only bad thing I can think of for Clara is "Aunt Clara" from Bewitched, but if a kid is not familiar with Bewitched they won't know what it means and it doesn't sound bad on it's own (and anyway Aunt Clara is loveable).
The benefit of Harriet is there are a few nicknames (e.g. Hatty, Hetty, Harry, Netty) but Clara doesn't really have any nicknames.

I like both, but prefer Harriet. Also like Cleo from your other options.

Harriet. Could easily be Hetty or Harry, if you don't like Hattie. Or just Harriet.

Clara does seem to be having a moment but it is beautiful. Harriet is more classic though and you could definitely get her to be called Hetty/Hettie. Just correct anyone who tries calling her Hattie...they will soon get the message.

Harriet.

Thanks for all the opinions! Really appreciated
With Cleo, I really like it but feel like she should have a full name. And when I say cleopatra I think —dh sings— “coming at ya!”

I have a Clara! I like Harriet as well (not as much, obvs!) but realistically she's going to end up as Harry or Hatty once at school - so you need to like one/both of those as well. It's one of the things I like about Clara - it's not easily shortened!

Not necessarily Room if shes been called Hetty from birth and realistically probably refers to herself as Hetty too by school age she’s unlikely to suddenly become Harry. I mean of course it’s a possibility but not how I have experienced it.

I guess what I meant was "there needs to be a shortened version that you like". You can certainly steer the nickname, but people will have an instinct to shorten it, so there needs to be one you like.

Yeah definitely agree with that Room-everyone loves nn!

Cleo is a full name - certainly Clio is. She was the muse of history and I have always thought (if you can cope with the inevitable immature comments about cars) that would be a wonderful name.

Clara, though, is a fantastic name. Elegant, easy to spell and pronounce, international, beautiful meaning. Much prefer it to Harriet (although there's nothing wrong with Harriet the Spy - a children's book heroine who is properly human).

Harriet. I don't like Clara. I like Cara, Claire and Lara.

Imogen, Phoebe, Cleo and Leila.
I like Phoebe and Cleo. I have a friend called Leila and she's lovely.
Imogen is ok but I don't like Immy.

Harriet. I don't like the 'clar' sound to Clara where I live; it sounds heavy and clunky.

I love Clara and don't know any.
Harriet is nice too.

Clara.

Definitely Harriet.