Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Clara or Melissa

52 replies

1209ET · 20/12/2023 16:16

We are down to two names for our little girl due in March. Clara Dawn or Melissa Dawn, we have one stillborn angel Aurora Blythe (hence Dawn) and I want her name to flow well with Aurora but not sound similar to Aurora. I want to be able to say her name with joy not fear. So, which is nicer Aurora and Clara or Aurora and Melissa? Which just sounds better on its own though Clara or Melissa? 💕

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
theduchessofspork · 20/12/2023 16:19

Clara

With Melissa she may well end up Mel which isn’t nice

Clara Lucy might be an alternative to Clara Dawn - Lucy means light

paigeeemicj · 20/12/2023 16:21

I'd say Clara, Clara dawn is a beautiful name and Clara is kind of like aura ( like an aura of light ) so i think it works perfectly

Icedcinnamonbun · 20/12/2023 16:22

Clara ❤️

Pemba · 20/12/2023 16:32

They are both nice names.

Claras are everywhere ATM, but I'm not quite sure about the name these days though, because of the klah-ra v. Clair-a pronunciation issue (I prefer the second one which is traditional to the UK). Clare?

Melissa is a lovely name, and quite a bit rarer than Clara currently . I think it was more popular in the 80s/90s, unfortunately because of that you'll probably get some people saying 'dated'. Possibly. It's very pretty though.

SameToo · 20/12/2023 16:56

Clara

Daffyyellow · 20/12/2023 17:09

Clara

Tulipvase · 20/12/2023 17:12

Clara definitely.

Kaamos · 20/12/2023 17:13

Clara

TomatoSandwiches · 20/12/2023 17:14

Clara is really popular at the moment, lots of them popping up so I would go with Melissa or Clarissa.

Gnomegnomegnome · 20/12/2023 17:15

Clara Dawn is beautiful and is a lovely nod to her sister.

I’m sorry for your loss of little Aurora.

Seamist22 · 20/12/2023 17:17

I love Clara Dawn 🥰

Dynamoat · 20/12/2023 17:18

Clarissa. Clara for short.

tarheelbaby · 20/12/2023 17:23

Clara is the Latin word for clear, bright (also means famous, clever) so suits your purposes well. Clarissa (clarissima) is the superlative so means very or most clear, bright - again well suited to your intent. Claire/Clare is the French version.

Melissa is the Greek word for honey bee.

Best wishes for your new little one and hugs for your first.

Previousreligion · 20/12/2023 17:24

Melissa. Although I do love Clarissa which kind of combines both!

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 20/12/2023 17:24

Don’t like Clara but Melissa is nice. I do quite like Clarissa though

bloodyeffinnora · 20/12/2023 17:29

Clara

IDontLoveTheWayYouLie · 20/12/2023 17:29

Clara

CrazylazyJane · 20/12/2023 17:42

Clara Dawn is beautiful

I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter and wish you joy on your up coming birth.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 20/12/2023 17:44

Agree with the poster who suggested Clarissa! But otherwise I would go with Clara, for some reason Melissa just always feels like the name a mean or snobby/ posh girl would have (even though in real life the Melissa’s I know are lovely it still has that connotation for me!)

Klone · 20/12/2023 17:46

Love both, and know little ones with both names. Leaning towards Melissa.

I think I would have both in mind and decide when baby arrives!

DesertSnow · 20/12/2023 18:25

Both nice names. Maybe wait to see what she looks like before picking?

SallyWD · 20/12/2023 18:37

Clara

plantpotsandbugs · 20/12/2023 20:12

I like them both.

I agree Clarissa is good as it combines both.

If you use Clarissa you can also use Claire, Clara as diminutives. Lots of options.

KirstenBlest · 20/12/2023 20:23

Melissa by a mile. I don't like Clara

35965a · 20/12/2023 20:27

Both lovely names. I think they both flow with Aurora well. I do like Clarissa, though! Lots of Claras popping up, so quite a popular name compared to Melissa.

Swipe left for the next trending thread