Is this name too “out there”?

[denji]

Having third baby in March, 2nd girl. First girl is Calla.
Initially we liked Alana (ah-lan-uh)

But I know far too many Alaina’s (all variations: Elena, Alayna, etc), Alana’s, Alina’s (Aleena)… everything is just so similar..

I saw a name yesterday I’ve never heard of.. I’ve heard of “Alora”, but this was “Alara”. I thought it was so pretty. It’s ranked in the top 600s… so I’m assuming it’s “heard of”. But is it too out there?

Alara is too similar to Alana. Your kid will be mistaken for Alana all the time. I would just use Alana since you like it more. I do like Alara and Alana, but I wouldn't choose name solely based on being 'different' or 'unusual'.

How about just 'Lara'? 'Alara' is not a nice sound and will probably be heard as 'Lara' anywat.

I do love Alora though.

Alara sounds like alarm to me. I’d go for Alena. Or Lara / Laura / Alyssa / Arabella?

I immediately think of those Halara trousers that are all over social media, sorry.

I know an Alaria.
I love Alana / Alannah / Alanah
It means darling in Irish.

Lena would work, unless you want an “A” name?

I've taught 2 Alaras, both were Turkish. Pretty name I think, I prefer it to Alana which always makes me think of someone called Alan naming his daughter after himself.

Alara is pretty and not too out there, it's a real name with plenty of use, just rare in the UK. The one thing I'd think about is that people will hear 'Alana' or 'Alaura' a lot, so you'd be spelling and correcting it fairly often. If that doesn't bother you, go for it. Calla and Alara do share a lot of sounds, so say 'Calla and Alara' out loud a few times and see if it feels too matchy. If you want something just as uncommon but more distinct from Calla: Elodie, Liora, Marisol, Thea, Wren or Odette.

Alara doesn’t seem too out there to me - as you say, there are a lot of similar variations, so it fits in nicely. But is pretty. So if you like it seems a good option!

I teach an Alara . A very pretty name . I have never mixed it up with Alana .

Alora reminds me of Flora. The margarine spread. Sad as Flora is actually a nice name.
Alara reminds me of a Liverpudlian accent. And Cilla Black.
Alana is the best of those suggested.

I like Alara. Who cares if some dull people think it's 'out there' or if some people who clearly can't spell/hear would think it was Alana?
If you like it, use it.

I don’t think it’s out there but again it is very similar to Alana which is what you wanted to get away from.
Lara is a lovely name.

What about Alero?

I know one and think it’s a lovely name

Lara is nice. Alora sounds like Atora - suet brand

If you like it, use it. People always asking for approval on mumsnet. I personally like it, but that doesn't matter, choose what YOU like.

It's a bit of a nothing name. Alana or Lara would be much nicer. Alara is just meh.

Exactly what I was going to say.

I also don't see how Alana can be boring but Alara perfectly acceptable to the OP.

allora is pretty
al Orr ah

It's not 'out there' at all. It's just one of a million similar names of which there are so many kids in school with currently Alora, Alana, Aleena, Elora, Elana etc

Laura. Sorted.

Surprised you’ve never heard of the name Alara. I know two Alaras. I like it very much and view it as a less common but pretty normal name.

I think Alara is a beautiful name.

I know an Alara. Although actually I think it's Elara.
But I like it, it's pretty, and not too 'out there'.