Clarence

[Gracefullywalking]

I need to know if I've gone mad. This name is not a name that I would have even considered before I fell pregnant, but it continues to grow on me the more that I've thought about it. I just think Clarence sounds like a cute name for a little boy and would also sound mature in adulthood. Thoughts?

Makes me think Clarence the Cross eyed lion.

Can’t speak for 11 years time, but as a secondary school teacher it would really stand out at the moment (and not in a good way)

Cal is nice as a nickname.

Not keen on Larry, which it might get shortened to ...

As in the cross-eyed lion or the Ronnie Barker sitcom?

That’s what I thought of!

My great grandmother (born 1847 in Whitechapel) was a Jemima. Definitely not posh.

Clarry (my phone defaulted to Clarrylove 🤣) is the Grundy family matriarch in The Archers.

I love Clarry.

I love it. It’s a wonderful life is my all time favourite film as well. You can call him Larry or Laurie for short.

Sebastian has done a huge class jump in recent years.

It has gone from brother of Peregrine to brother of Jaxon.

I love it! When I read the name it made me smile.

Clarence is horribly dated IMO, I think it would probably be a very marmite choice. Surely if the OP wanted Cal as a NN she'd choose a name that actually had Cal in it, like Callum.

Another one who thinks he might not thank you for it OP. Unless he’s going to a posh school.

I’m a certain age. Reminds me of a television lion.

I had a Renault 5 called Clarence in the 1980s , much more suitable as a cars name

Adore it!

I wouldn’t choose it, but it’s fine. I know a teenage Cyril, as far as I know he’s not had any grief over his name and he wears it well!

I would have thought a Clarence at a posh school was working in the stables. To me it’s a proper hillbilly name. Like Cletus.

I think it’s wonderful and it was on my list.

“Can you fly, Bobby?”

“There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.”

Made me think of that great first line! - but actually it fits current naming trends, i know a young Digby, a young Ambrose, a young Malcolm. I think Clarence, although I don't like the sound personally, is along the same lines, I wouldn't worry about him being teased etc.

That’s Clarice Cliff but very similar vibe. I think both sound rather feminine. I think comments on lack of obvious nicknames are useful. Could you use it as a middle name?

Get your husband to go around for a week introducing himself as Clarence, and see how it feels.

See also: pregnancy hormones.

I'm of an age where I associate it with a cross eyed lion. But that wouldn't be an issue for anyone under 50!

Personally I'm not a fan, but I very much think that if you like it, go with it. Nearly 30 years ago I got talked out of my favourite boy's name on the grounds that it was awful, ugly, old fashioned and that he would get laughed at in the playground. So I chose something else instead. The name was Noah and now it's one of the most popular names. I should have stuck to my guns

Gorgeous go for it! We don’t need another George!