Claire?

[Octopusespunchforfun]

I really love the name Claire and I’m after some honest opinions. It means “light/ bright” and I think it’s beautiful, but is it too ‘80s? I quite like that it can’t be shortened as well.

Love it. Definitely a classic.

I love it - simple sophisticated and beautiful. I like the chilled French vibe too. I also fellow 80s throwback waiting for a resurgence Louise for the same reasons.

Love it. Yes it was very popular in the 70’s/80’s but like similar Sarah and Laura, it feels classic and sounds so pretty that I don’t think it matters.

Only issue is the Claire vs Clare thing - like C/Katherine, she’s likely to have to spell it regularly. But it’s easy enough to say “Claire with an I” - I’d probably go for the Claire spelling, as I think that’s the more popular one internationally.

I love the sound and meaning of Claire.
I love Clare equally.

Other similar options..
Cleo
Clarissa
Chloe
Saoise
Sarah
Mary
Deirdre

I love it. I can’t stand the spelling ‘Clare’ for some reason. Looks unfinished to me. But Claire is lovely. I know a few, all in their early 30s or 40s.

It's very boring and dated, I can't imagine it for someone under 40

I love it. I prefer classic names. They don't date or go in and out of fashion. I would choose it without hesitation I have to say when we were baby naming, lots of people were saying our choices were safe and boring and were suggesting other trendier names. All of those on trend suggestions have now dated after a few years in fashion. We don't regret our choices so go with your instincts.

I love it. It’s popular among the 40 plus age group but I think it sounds fresh, pretty and classy for a little one too.

I like it but I've seen it spelt Claire, Clare and Clair, so be prepared to be forever spelling it when you have to give the name out.

It’s a classic so while it’s out of fashion it doesn’t sound dated

I like the Clare spelling for some reason

Lovely name. Due a revival.

Love it, much nicer than Clara which is the current version going around. I actually prefer Claire but Clare is nice also.

Has a slightly retro feel but I love it, it would really stand out these days

prefer Claire as it’s French (to Clare or Clair)

also love Clara

I love it too.

It's nice but sounds better in a rhotic accent. It's a bit of a 1970s name.

Thanks everyone I wasn’t expecting such positive comments overall.

I think the fact thats it’s quite 70s/80s is almost like how names like Violet and Emmeline were very 20s/30s at one point then slowly came back in fashion.

We are going to stick with the French spelling as it looks more ‘complete’.

When it comes to middle names due you think a two syllable name works best?

Claire/Clare is one of my favourite names. I like it better than the currently popular Clara. Has a lovely sound, beautiful meaning, and can't be mispronounced, shortened or otherwise messed with.

Yes it was very fashionable in the 60s/70s (and 80s?), but I don't see why that matters, it's a classic really, (there was a Saint Clare.). Also I think quite a few little girls have been named Claire in the USA in recent years, so it's coming back in.

For a middle name, yes anything with more than one syllable would work. Probably 3 or more to balance it out. Eg, Claire Elizabeth, Claire Madeleine, Claire Abigail, Claire Juliette.

Lovely but prefer Clare!

I’m 35 and it’s my name 😊

I love it. Yes, there are 2 popular spellings so I do have to clarify which one is mine, but that’s true of lots of names.

I think it would sound very fresh and cool for a baby now. I think it’s actually been rising in popularity in the US/Canada for a while now.

I’ve got 2 middle names of 2 syllables each - I think definitely avoid a one syllable middle as could sound quite stark, but otherwise it goes nicely with lots of names.

@StartsAgain , it's a classic saint's name. It happened to be popular in the 1960s and 70s, but it didn't stop being nice, just like Sarah, Emma and Laura are still lovely.

I don't like Clara but they love it on here.
My name is being criticised on another thread. I don't care.

It’s a classic. I know 2 Claire’s in their 90s, several in their 30s-50s. I think it’s lovely.

I think it's incredibly bland. You can't do anything with it to jazz it up or change it...it's just Bleugh Claire.

Beautiful name.