Clara or Melissa

[1209ET]

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? 💕

Clara

Both lovely names. Melissa feels quite refreshing, Clara is very popular on MN although I don’t know any in real life.

Clara is the right kind of plain. Melissa says ‘eighties perm and batwing sleeves’.

Clara if very current. Melissa is not.
I named my daughter a name that is not a classic, not weird and not current ( ie dated according to some) and I love that she still hasn’t come across another one.
There will be quite a few Clara’s in her school and her name will pin point her age in the future. Depends if that bothers you.

My first thought was Clarissa too.

Like both but Clara is the little girl in the Nutcracker ballet, which I love.

Clara and Clarissa are nicer than Melissa imo

Melissa is lovely

Clara 100% - Elegant and classic

Melissa seems very dated and is best left in the 90s in my opinion! Mel as a potential nickname would really put me off

Clara is really nice and you avoid the awful Mel - go for it!

Another one really close to Melissa and that I love is Marissa

Clara

I like Clara best. It is classic, pretty, and flows well with Dawn as a middle name.
I don't like Melissa, but that is just my own bias.

Clara is gorgeous one of my favourites, Melissa isn't terrible but not something I'd choose

Melissa is very dated.

Clara is nicer.

Sorry for your loss.

Melissa is more unusual at the moment, Clara and Lara are very popular.

Clara, 100%

Clara is beautiful.

I'm really not a fan of Clara- makes me think of the carriage in Thomas the Tank Engine every time. I do know a Clara in real life and she is lovely, I just dislike the name (obviously would never dream of telling her that as that wouldn't be kind).
Melissa Dawn sounds so pretty! Gorgeous name and gives nice options for nicknames if she wants when she's older, Mel or Lissy, Lissa, Missy etc. I think it's more useable for those reasons and the fact it's not super popular. Clarissa would be cute too.

Clara by a mile. And she will love the nutcracker story.

Clara. Melissa is dated and most are in their 30’s or 40’s now so it’s a bit of a tired name really.

Melissa is objectively a very pretty name. The trouble is that most people are quite sheep-like, just because they know a few people with a particular name that belong to one specific age group, therefore the name, eg Melissa is 'dated' (see above posters) and cannot possibly be considered. It's a shame,when there are so many varied and lovely names out there, but they have to follow what everyone else is doing this year.

Apparently they would rather have a child that is the fourth Isla or Ava in their class...

Definitely Clara!

Melissa. So much fresher.
Don't like clunky Clara but do love Cara.

Melissa