Active discussions

Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Clarence ?

63 replies

Kanji0 · 26/02/2021 01:12

Read this off a name list and husband now keen.

Nickname of Clark, or Lars, or Clarrie

Unsure whether it’s an underused classic or unheard of for a reason

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
GirlLovesWorld · 26/02/2021 08:22

This is one of those names where I think the parents should spend a few days introducing themselves to strangers as Clarence to see the reactions they get.

Don't saddle your beautiful newborn with it, really.

Just go with Clark, it's a lovely name.

AlwaysLatte · 26/02/2021 08:24

We had Clarice top of the list as a girl's name, with the nickname Clarrie - I always thought Clarrie was female although these days lots of names are unisex. Maybe Clifford is due a comeback?

Icequeen01 · 26/02/2021 08:24

I've never commented on one of these posts before but I just had to on this one! Awful name and agree with the poster who mentioned Clarence the cross eyed lion!

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 26/02/2021 08:56

I see I'm in the minority but I like it. I also like Clement.

Not Clarrie, though. That is a girls' name (especially to Archers listeners).

partyatthepalace · 26/02/2021 09:15

I think it's quite sweet and will very likely be revived...

since you'd be in the vanguard I can see why some PPs think it's a brave choice, but kids have a wider variety of names than they used to - I think it would be fine. However good to have some nns lined up so he has options - and a more conventional middle name in case it really doesn't work for him.

Charlie would also poss work as a nn. Clarrie is very feminine to me.

VenusClapTrap · 26/02/2021 09:36

I quite like it actually.

Topseyt · 26/02/2021 10:36

I wouldn't say that it is the worst I have ever heard, but it isn't my cup of tea either.

eddiemairswife · 26/02/2021 11:07

Reminds me of two Dukes of Clarence; the first drowned in a butt of malmsey in Richard III and the second was suspected at one time of being Jack the Ripper.

BackforGood · 26/02/2021 11:13

This is one of those names where I think the parents should spend a few days introducing themselves to strangers as Clarence to see the reactions they get.

What a stunningly brilliant idea. Why isn't this suggested on lots of Baby name threads ??

Agree with others - awful name. Yes, I guess not everyone will remember the cross eyed lion, but it really isn't a name that needs to be brought back to the fore.
Definitely don't call him one thing if you are going to call him another. I mean, I don't like the name 'Clark' either, but, if that's what you want to call him, then call him that - it doesn't derive from Clarence.

noname55 · 26/02/2021 11:14

@katienana

There is a kids cartoon on Netflix called Clarence, it's very funny but I think it would put you off the name if you watched it
Agreed.
ParisJeTAime · 26/02/2021 11:15

I'm not keen. I also really don't like Clark or Clarrie.

Similar feel imo, (and another one I don't like), but more mainstream, would be:

Chester
Walter
Edwin

ParisJeTAime · 26/02/2021 11:15

Sorry you got three instead of one there!

ParisJeTAime · 26/02/2021 11:27

There is also Laurence, which isn't a million miles away and is also lovely imo! Nn Laurie.

ThePricklySheep · 26/02/2021 11:29

I would think girl for Clarrie.

StressedTired · 26/02/2021 11:34

I love it! I think it's strong and elegant but sweet too. I don't understand all the hate for it here on a site that seems obsessed with Clementine (a fruit!) and Bear (an animal!). I like the nickname Clarrie but might also use Larry.

RedGoldAndGreene · 26/02/2021 11:34

Definitely not Clarrie as a nickname.

Clark(e) and Lars are much better names than Clarence but obviously don't use the former if your surname is Kent.

GingerAndTheBiscuits · 26/02/2021 11:35

@katienana

There is a kids cartoon on Netflix called Clarence, it's very funny but I think it would put you off the name if you watched it
Very much this!
OldRailer · 26/02/2021 11:39

I don't like it sorry.
Prefer Laurence/ Lance

3JsMa · 26/02/2021 11:40

Clarence/Lars is great.

user1493494961 · 26/02/2021 11:40

Clarence the cross-eyed lion here too.

LeaveMyDamnJam · 26/02/2021 11:41

Is a name for dukes (and as a result, pubs) and lions.

PurBal · 26/02/2021 11:42

I like it. Reminds me of the angel in It's a Wonderful Life.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 26/02/2021 13:56

I think Clarence is one of those names you'd have to be incredibly hipster or very upper class to pull off, sorry - a bit like Eugene, Percival or Cecil. Fine if your child is confident, but not so great if he's not.

Similar but more popular/well known Laurence is more useable I think (and would be a more obvious BC name for Lars). Or just use Clark or Lars on their own - while they are uncommon in the UK, they are nice names imo.

Twobrews · 26/02/2021 14:26

This is Clarence!

Clarence ?
VanillaAndOrange · 27/02/2021 16:53

Reminds me of two Dukes of Clarence; the first drowned in a butt of malmsey in Richard III and the second was suspected at one time of being Jack the Ripper.

William IV was also a DofC and he might be a slightly more positive role model.

However Clarence mostly reminds me of Clarence Clemons, and he positively rocked. I quite the name just as a collection of sounds too. I'm surprised it's not used more.