Clare in 2026

[whatapita]

What do you think of the name Clare for a baby girl born in 2026? I prefer this spelling to Claire, not keen on Clara. Is it too 70s??

More like Cleuh where I'm from.

I think the only reason you’re getting such positive feedback is the age of people commenting.

I like it but only spelt Clare. Claire, to me, is the opposite of sophisticated.

But we are all different. I don’t think I’d use it in a part of the country that pronounces it Clur as has been suggested.

Claire, to me, is the opposite of sophisticated. Same here. Very 1970s.

I was born in the 60s and have known lots of Claires and Clares about my age, so I think it's fairly timeless.

I was born in the 60s and have known lots of Claires and Clares about my age, so I think it's fairly timeless.
It's only been popular in the1960s,1970s and 1980s so not timeless.

It’s so beautiful and elegant

I adore it, however it's spelt (Clare/Claire/Clair). I cannot see it as outdated or boring, it is a simply beautiful name.

I don't like Clara at all, although it seems to be more of the moment. It sounds clunky and heavy.

As to the age comment upthread, yes I confess I am of the original Clare generation.

And another. It's a family name for us, my grandmother, me and my daughters have it - all Clare which is much prettier than the alternative.

It's lovely and due a revival. Hopefully not too big a one. It was extreme in its popularity when I was a child (much like my name) but has aged very well I think.
If I met a baby Clare today I would find it a fresh and gorgeous choice.
What are you thinking of putting in the middle?

@LilyLemonade , I agree about Clara. I don't see the appeal.
I think Clare was a name considered 'RC' before it was very popular.

It is such a pretty name, I prefer the Claire spelt in full. French chic

Personally I find it dull as I know so many Clares my age.

I am surprised to find that I think it would be lovely for a baby born now.
I know several in their 60s, or late 50s, so just a bit ahead of the game for a revival as an 'old lady name', but it never really went out of use like Pamela or Deborah. I've taught several Claires in the las 40 odd years, but they've always been the only one in the class.

I would definitely go for 'Claire' though. My friend 'Clare' gets so fed up of having to explain to people that her parents gave her the name without an 'i' in it.

It’s nice.

I really like Clare & know 3 - one early 50s, one late 50s & one 40’s. The youngest spells her name “ Claire”

I love Claire/Clare, it was on our list...We didn't choose it because we knew too many within our adult friendship groups. We actually went with Louise and Rachel in the end -similar feel I think - short classic girl names currently out of favour. We have yet to meet any children with the same names, even just randomly out and about. It makes them feel unusual even though they are normal names everyone knows. Go for it OP!

I think this is a bit like saying serviette is more sophisticated than napkin.

I know a lot of Claire’s as a child from the 80s, so that’s the era I associate it with, which isn’t a bad thing assuming you have good experiences with it! I think it’s a lovely name. I’d say Clare is plainer and less pretty than Claire.

I'm a Clare (50s) and would definitely prefer this spelling. It's a good name and due a comeback.

I know three Clares and two Claires. Two are in their 60s, one in her 50s, one in her 40s, and one in her 20s.

It seems to me to be a perfect name - not tied to a specific age group, classic but likely to be the only Clare in her class.

im in my 50s and there was a dozen Claire’s in my school (and Joanne’s, Sarah’s and Catherine’s). I’m always surprised these names aren’t more popular.

@TwillTrousers, It's because people looking for a name for their child will know dozens of them and they'll be the same age as their parents.

I think it depends where you grew up. The names of the girls DH went to school with are very different.