Which girl's name?

[delshell]

So hubby and I are choosing a name for our baby girl.

The two names we've narrowed it down to up to now are:

Gwendolen Siân (We'd call her Gwen)
Clara Joanne

What are your thoughts and which do you prefer?

FYI, we want to have a derivative of John for the middle name, because of a recent family member who's passed away. We are from Wales, even though we don't live there now, so quite like the idea of having something Welsh in there (hence the first option), but not a requirement.

I love both I would possibly go for Gwen as less popular but would be a close call.

Clara by a mile - so so gorgeous

Gwendolen is pronounced Gwen-DOL-en not GWENdoline, so bear that in mind. I'd just call her Gwen. Gwen Siân seems ok.
I think Gwen is fairly popular in Wales now.

Alternative feminine versions of John are Sioned (SHON-ed) and Siwan (S-EWE-ann or SHOO-ann). These are Janet and Joan in Welsh. Both are quite popular, and I like both very much, as I do Siân.

My preference would be Gwen Siwan I think.

I don't like Clara at all. Joanna is more classic than Joanne.

You could have Gwen Joanna.

There are prettier names that start with Gwen - Gwenllïan, Gwenhwyfar, Gwenfair... - but they will have pronunciation issues. Gwenan, Gwennol or Gwenith are all ok though.

I know someone with a daughter called Gwen short for Gwendoline and it seems sweet. I think Gwendoline is the anglicised form of Gwendolen.

Clara

I was thinking about Clara today, love it.
Not keen on Gwen.

Gwendoline definitely, I like Clara but I know a few and think it's shooting up in popularity.

Gwen Joanna has a Gavin and Stacey connotation! - actress Joanna Page plays Stacey and her mum's character is Gwen.
Overall I like Gwen better than Clara.

Much prefer Clara

I would pronounce Gwendoline as GWEN-du-lin.
Like Pendulum in emphasis if that makes sense.
Anyway, pronounced like that I think it's gorgeous and is my favourite. Unusual but very elegant.
Clara is lovely too.

Oh just realised you are spelling it Gwendolen so maybe that's a different pronunciation, never heard of it spelt that way.

I adore the name Gwen, DP vetoed it (he’s Welsh, apparently it had connotations) so, I would definitely choose Gwendoline Sian.
As a side not I disagree with PP who said the emphasis is on the DOL part.

Oh just realised you are spelling it Gwendolen so maybe that's a different pronunciation, never heard of it spelt that way.

Oops same

Clara.

Clara Joanne is absolutely gorgeous

Clara is just lovely. I prefer Joanna to Joanne. Not keen on the others.

Thanks for the insight @MikeUniformMike - that's all helpful to know!

I am less keen on the anglicised spelling of Gwendoline but wondering if it would be a less confusing pronunciation and spelling.

The question is whether Gwendoline would still work with a Welsh middle name such as Siân?

Any thoughts anyone?

Gwen.

Clara is getting so popular but is very harsh sounding to my ear

Clara is much nicer, I would prefer to be a Clara than a Gwen.

Gwendoline Sian is lovely. Clara sounds a bit wet.

I prefer Clara.

Clara is much nicer. Could you do Clara Gwendolen if you want to keep the Welsh link?

Love Clara! Never met a Clara, however it’s lovely and refreshing.

I’ve never heard Gwendoline pronounced with the emphasis on the DOH as pp, is this a specific welsh pronunciation? I’ve met 3 and they were all GWENdoline. Either way, it makes me immediately think of the mean girl in Malory Towers although the ones i’ve met have been perfectly lovely. I do think Gwen sounds good with a welsh accent.

I rather like Clara Sian (sorry can’t do a circumflex on my phone) out of your options, would that be a choice?

They're both cute. I do prefer Joanna to Joanne.

Either way, it makes me immediately think of the mean girl in Malory Towers

Aw, I loved the Malory Towers books! Reminds me of Gwendolen Harleth from Daniel Deronda.