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?

I think it sounds like a little peaky blinda name. I’ve got a strong Thurrock accent and we’d definitely shorten it to “clal” I love it. I’d imagine it would depend on your circle though and accent. My mates girl is Scarlett and is called scar, not great tbh 🙈

I think of Clarence Darrow, who was kick-ass, which is ironic as I'd put it in the category of "names I find wet but are increasingly popular, especially in the south of England," like Walter and Rupert.

I also know a lot of people called the "similar" names mentioned here, such as Wilbur, as our school has a lot of kids who have come from China and are not aware of the context of a name. So it would most likely be fine to this generation.

I like it and would mature well as you say
better than some of the “ Disney “ names some parents are coming up with at the moment ( some people are unable to fast forward)

Makes me think of Clarence the cross-eyed Lion. Which is odd as it's a programme I never watched

I used to work with a Rex. His nickname was SexyRex. He seemed happy enough. He looked like Oliver Reed

There was a dog in our village who we called SexyRexy. He had a habit of escaping his garden and mating with females who were on heat. A rather attractive Retriever.

That made me laugh.

I'd expect the child to be very much like Sheldon ...

I have a cat called Clarence. Good name for a cat. Baby - not so much.

I went to school with a Clarence.
He was always known as Chad.

Wrong,
Older generation would adore it.
It's from their past.

On a lighter note my brother was nearly named Archibald after his/our Grandfather. 😩😩

I'm older and I dislike it. Reminds me of old uncles wearing gigantic trousers, a belt and braces.

I think PP is right. People quite often don't want a strong specific association when they name their baby, more like a blank canvas with whatever vibe they are going for. Like my mum couldn't understand why Hannah was popular among my school friends because she thought of it as an 'old maid's name".
People calling their babies Florence and Elsie are too young to remember specific people, they might want to honour an ancestor but they won't have strong associations.