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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

is Clara just too much of an "old womans" name?

69 replies

hugglebug · 15/12/2008 17:30

Can i have your thoughts on this please as i'd really like to put it on our short list but DH thinks it's too old for a baby name.
OUR other contenders are:
Lucy, Ruby, Niamh & Scarlett
Thanks

OP posts:
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nailpolish · 15/12/2008 17:31

its not an old womans name
its Heidis friends name

YeahBut · 15/12/2008 17:31

I love Clara.

MummyDarlingMincepie · 15/12/2008 17:32

Lovely name - I also like Lucy from your list

devoutsceptic · 15/12/2008 17:33

It's trendy. I know of two, both to fashiony London girls. but less common than Scarlett and Ruby.

MarlaCarolSinger · 15/12/2008 17:36

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suwoodolf · 15/12/2008 17:36

I don't know any yet but I can see it going the way of Ruby which is very, very popular. I like it though.

SatsumaMoon · 15/12/2008 17:37

I don't think of it as an old woman's name at all. I would think of the little girl in The Nutcracker ballet

lulabellarama · 15/12/2008 17:39

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pooter · 15/12/2008 17:40

ooh i love it! (mentally puts it in the mix for next one!)

BibiJesus · 15/12/2008 17:41

No it is an absolutely beautiful name, dd1 was almost Clara but her cousin was born 6 weeks before and had that as a middle name.

LiffeyCanSpellGeansaiNollaig · 15/12/2008 17:41

No, I see it as being conventional, mainstream even. It was popular in Victorian times too, but it's not 'old lady' like Edith or Dulcie or Elsa or Agnes iyswim (I like all of those names btw!)

Clara is lovely! Much nicer than Scarlett, I can't get past the fact that that starts with Scar. Ruby is lovely but too popular imo. Well, maybe you're not bothered! but Clara is a better choice imo. Niamh is nice but I just prefer Eve myself. Or Maeve.

Original poster
hugglebug · 15/12/2008 17:42

thanks for all the positive feedback for mr to rub DH's face in.

OP posts:
AndaGrouchyBahHumbugtoyou · 15/12/2008 17:45

I think one of Ewan McGregor's DCs is called Clara.

It is a lovely name, it really is

LiffeyCanSpellGeansaiNollaig · 15/12/2008 17:50

Make him read this thread.

Some people (who haven't given it much thought) still think that Jennifer/Stephen are normal names. But I'd be surprised to hear of a baby named either.

Ruby is #2 I think. I suspect a lot of people still perceive Ruby to me a very unusal name. If they don't go to creches and schools and so on!!! How would they know any different?!

ButterflyBessie · 15/12/2008 17:51

A agree with NP, she is Heidi's friend and it is a very pretty name

AndaGrouchyBahHumbugtoyou · 15/12/2008 17:52

I think one of Ewan McGregor's DCs is called Clara.

It is a lovely name, it really is

SatsumaMoon · 15/12/2008 17:54

I have an irrational dislike of Ruby

Nancy66 · 15/12/2008 19:25

I think it's a lovely name. Very pretty, feminine and classy and much prefer it to your other choices.

changer22 · 15/12/2008 19:28

Are you pronouncing it Claire-a or klar-a. I know 2 Claras - one of each!

I had never heard of the Claire-a one (until I met her!) but there was a thread I think some time ago.

I like it BTW but prefer the older, more formal Klar-a sound.

cheekysealion · 15/12/2008 19:29

love this name

Anna8888 · 15/12/2008 19:30

Clara is quite popular for little girls in France.

constancereader · 15/12/2008 19:34

It is a fabulous name.
It is my dd's name, she is two months old. I don't know any others personally but do feel it is getting more popular.

mumof2andabit · 15/12/2008 19:37

No not an old ladies name but makes me think of annie&clarabell!!!!! What about cara?

Anna8888 · 15/12/2008 19:39

Clara was the fifth most popular name for girls born in France in 2007.

CountessDracula · 15/12/2008 19:42

it is the name of a cow