Clarissa or Julia?

[CharlotteMJL]

Hi everyone, I really am struggling to decide between two names that people have told me give off very different “vibes.” Julia has long been my favorite name since I was very young, but everyone in both of our families knows it so I wonder if it feels a bit like old news…. I am also in the US, where Julia has long been a relatively popular name. Not overly popular, but top 100 for at least a couple of decades. My husband and I meanwhile also really like Clarissa…. I like it because it’s also a very old names but also seems spunky and gives off 90s vibes (probably because of Clarissa Explains it All), and it’s never been very popular here. My friends tell me if I don’t name the baby Julia that I will regret it, and that freaks me out. I do still love Julia but Clarissa seems fresher for some reason. What do you guys think?

the middle name will be Estelle, and our last name is Italian and ends with an “A”. My husband and his family are all in England too, but I am American and we live in the US…. If that info helps at all haha. Thank you!

Personally I like Julia. Nothing wrong with Clarissa, and it is a nice sounding name, but just not so keen on it myself.

I'm not sure why, but my instinct on hearing the name Clarissa is that it sounds like an American name. So that could be why it wouldn't be a natural choice for me. But obviously you wouldn't have the same issue!

Julia is such a beautiful, elegant name.

I much prefer it to Clarissa. To my English ears it's very frilly/fussy.

I love Julia (classic, beautiful name) but not keen at all on Clarissa. I think it's a bit fussy and trying to be posh (like Rupert and Tristan for boys). Also will date. Not sure how you would nickname it either.

Julia is lovely. Clarissa is ok but fussy.

Cassia maybe?

Julia

I think they're both lovely classic names.

Julia !

I like them both. If you’ve liked Julia for a long time I would probably go with that. You could spell it
the Italian way to go with the surname? Clarissa is a classic English name, personally don’t think it will date

Clarissa is stunning. Julia I find bland

Julia is timeless.

I'm a Julia and when I left my last job my line manager burnt a CD for me (this was some time ago) calling it Ten Songs about Julia. There really are so many songs with the word Julia in the title and quite a few films too! So I'd choose Julia.

Thank you everyone who answered so far! Just want to clarify that my husband is from England, and his family are all still there. He obviously lives with me in the US (my original post made it sound like he was still in England). But I feel like I need a name that fits both places well since half our family is there. :)

Julia

I love them both! Either would be a great choice, but I'd give the edge to Julia.

Both are very nice. Do you like all the shortenings? I am Julia and get called Jules. A friend called Clarissa gets called Clarrie.

The annoying shortening of my name is Julie - because that is a different name.

Hi! I just had my baby on Sunday. My husband and I had a shortlist of about 5 or 6 names with a clear front runner going into labour. Once our son was born, we were looking st him and realized that the initial favourite just didn't suit him! A name that was further down the list was perfect for him though!

He was born a bit after 2am Sunday and we had his name finalized by Tuesday morning.

I would say to put both on your shortlist as see what works once you've met your baby girl. ❤️

Julia Estelle is a fine name.
Also:
Estelle Clarissa
Celia Estelle
Clarissa Joy

Love Clarissa 😍

Julia.

Love both. Clarissa has the edge for me

Coincidentally both make me think of chefs- Clarissa Dickson Wright, and Julia Childs. I prefer Julia.

I'm also a Julia and feel I got lucky - my parents other first name choices were much less timeless feeling. I like my name a lot - it's classic and well used/known in many countries so travels well, while not being quite as popular/overused as some of the other classic types.

Clarissa has a bit of a fusty, upper class maiden Aunt image to me (rather than the US TV programme), but that might be a Brit thing or just a me thing! and therefore not an issue in the US. But if you want less well used than Julia I'd personally consider elegant, Shakespearean Juliet or Nerissa instead.

I can see points in both their favour.

Julia is a classic name, quite elegant, but it has to be said, also a bit dull.

Clarissa reminds me of the 18th c novel by Samuel Richardson although when you mentioned Clarissa Explains It All, that came whooshing back to me too
I can see that it might seem a bit fussy but I love Clarrie for short.

If I had to pick on your behalf I'd probably opt for Clarissa.

I would not let your friends influence you on this. Both names are lovely and you should choose the one you prefer. You would be more likely to regret letting yourself be swayed by other people.

I really like Clarissa but sadly my partner doesn’t. He refers to that 90s show but I just feel that was so long ago and wouldn’t mean anything to most people and the child.