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??

We don't know where you or your DH grew up. He might have grown up abroad or might be a different age group.
I think it's fair to say that if you were born on England about 1970, you will know a few Sarahs, Clares/Claires, Catherines and Joannes.
(I wasn't and I know loads)

It's quite nice but I much prefer Clara.

I don't like Clara now the Clare-a pronunciation isn't used. It sounds harsh and cold.

My Nan is called Clare and she is 97 next week, so fairly timeless! I’m named after her and I’ve never disliked it. There were lots of us at school in the 1980s-1990s but less with this spelling. Even my mum spelt it wrong (with an ‘I’) in a birthday card once! It doesn’t bother me really.

I do like the Catholic spelling the most but my family are Irish so am likely biased. St. Clare was fab, she caused absolute uproar in her family by refusing to marry a rich man. She ran off and devoted her life to doing what she wanted.

I’m not usually keen on names that were popular in the 70s. I think they’re dated but not classic, but I have to admit I really like Clare. Like you I prefer it without the i.

I really like it and I also love Clara, prefer that actually. Sadly I've never met one I liked. There were 3 in my year at school and I work with one and all a bit unpleasant in a strange coincidence!

One of my very favourite names. It is truly timeless. I much prefer the Latinate version (Clare from clara = bright, shining, illustrious) to the French version with the additional "i"--the latter somehow feels frillier, less elegant. But that's just personal taste!

Totally agree.

Clara is much nicer imo

I prefer the spelling of Clare too OP.

Clare is the correct spelling, I really like it. I’ve never met a Clare I haven’t liked.

@AdoreTheChaos , Clare is the correct spelling for County Clare. Otherwise, the correct spelling is the one she uses. It was usually Clare in the UK until the name became popular.

I think of Claire as the French spelling. They write Ste Claire for the saint. We spell it St Clare. Obviously some people use the French spelling for the name if they prefer it

I think of Claire as the French spelling too. I think 'French' names became popular in the 1960s - Michelle, Alison, Marie, Gabrielle, Louise, Sophie, Danielle etc. Claire seems to have been most popular but Clare, Claire or Clair were in use.

I drove past the Poor Clares convent near me only yesterday and thought what a lovely name it is.

We named our youngest (born in 2010) Clare. I think it’s an absolutely beautiful name (obviously!)

I like it. I know it was very popular in the 70s but it doesn’t feel faddy like so many names. It feels like a classic, inoffensive name that just isn’t super popular right now - which is probably a good thing.

I wouldn't choose it but I do think it's a nice, light name. I prefer Clare to Claire also.

Clare is a solid, timeless and elegant choice. Can't go wrong with Clare. I also love simple, one syllable names!

I know two, both lovely, late 60’s and early 70’s they are. Lovely name

i know a few, i work with two
went to school with two
sorry, i prefer clara or lara