What do you think of when you hear these names?

[zozzle]

Ruth
Zoe
Clara
Iris

Be honest! Thanks

Ruth: a bit hard, reminds me of Nancy in Swallows and Amazons
Zoe: don't know why but do not like it
Clara: love this name, old fashioned but also current
Iris: I adore it but I see mnetters think it is becoming v prevalent now - makes me think of someone elegant and enviable!

_Ruth - a bit old fashioned / old testament for me
Zoe - love it!
Clara - ok
Iris - cornea

Ruth - a bit of a serious/plain name
Zoe - a friendly sort of a girl
Clara - Ok. getting popular. German
Iris - really like it - means Rainbow

Ruth - I really dislike its sound
Zoe - No
Clara - Ok
Iris - Nice

Out of those I like Clara the best, I think of Clara Bow, the actress from the 20's.
Im not keen on Iris for the one reason being that my sisters ExMIL was called Iris, she was a bit crabby and standoffish and we nicknamed her "theIris" So that name has forever been tainted!
Ruth and Zoe dont make me think of anything in particular they just seem to be nice, non offensive girls names!

I have a Ruth and believe me when I say that she is not serious, plain, sensible or boring. Determined is a good word for her Most of the Ruths I know like to be centre-stage but they also make amazing friends and have a great sense of fun. All of them have a very dry sense of humour.

Ruth - I like but I once read that it meant 'pitying' and its put me off ever since...
Zoe - its classless, the best here I think
Clara - bit drippy
Iris - 'ugly' name, imo, sorry (!)

If you are looking for no nonsense ageless names how about;
Mary - really like this
Fiona
Julia

Ruth - my lovely friend, I thought it meant "compassionate", perhaps "pitying" is lost in translation somewhere
Zoe - lovely
Clara - lovely, Heidi's disabled friend who learns to walk and lives happily ever after
Iris - lovely, eyes, rainbows, beautiful flowers

Ruth - not a follower - a strong, clever woman and a good friend
Zoe - reminds me of two lovely friends. Would suit almost anyone. Classic
Clara - a horse in a Jilly Cooper novel
Iris - mad old lady/drippy girl

I was considering Ruth for DC3 should some miracle occur and this baby not be another DS , so I obviously quite like it.

Zoe is a bit of a nothingy name.

Clara is pretty, but is a bit too much like Clare.

Not sure about Iris.....

I love Iris. Wish I was allowed it!!!!! DH Being an arse on the name conversation front!!! Anyone else having such probs?!

Come on which will you choose? xxx

ruth - ruthless (attrib. to female with this quality sorry)

Zoe - Wannamaker - funny looking face

Clara - magnificent: has the rare quality of being fit for a baby, fit for a toddler, fit for a young lady, fit for a grown woman and fit for a grandma too. love it!

Iris - pretty but a bit too popular perhaps...?

Iris is DDs name so obviously I love it...didn't realise it was part of the trendy crew though , she's named after my grandmother and his so Iris Maria...was thinking of Iris May, but as she was born in april......

Clara, I love

Zoe and Ruth both nice too.

Ruth - nice, simple - ok.
Zoe - have never liked this
Clara - quite popular here - stylish, elegant.
Iris - my 8 year old dd. Also did not realise it was trendy - only met one other in nearly 9 years. Also Murdoch, of course.

Ruth reminds me of the plain, brainy but lovely woman in Spooks.
Zoe - I'm sorry but to me this is what I call a bitchy name. I think it's school connotations as Michelle is another one.
Clara - like it a lot. Clara Bow was an actress in the 1920s I think.
Iris - one of the nicest flower names but becoming quite popular now. Iris Murdoch too.

Thanks guys - am leaning towards:

Zoë Ruth (non-hyphenated - Ruth as middle name)- nn Zo (to ryhme with Jo - Zo is also a name in its own right - African I think).

I really love them all though!

Zoe is Greek for "life" and is mentioned in New Testament (original Greek) in the context of eternal life (I am religious so nice fit) so in a way because of its meaning "life" it seems like the ultimate name (am very into meanings). Also it is a very ancient name (has been used for centuries) - there was also a St. Zoe. Also I love the 70s - when the name had a bit of a ressurgence, and I may be off beam here but Zoe makes me think of someone who's a bit arty and I'm into the arts too.

Plus its my middle name - so I'm probably horribly biased! I know its one of those names that's not everyone's cup of tea (esp those into the frillier types of names)

Ruth was my Great-Aunt who was a nurse in Africa and set up a hospital.

Clara was my DH's grandmother and Claira was my great grandmother!

Decisions, decisions ...

forgot to say - recently noticed that retired ballerina Darcey Bussell has a young Zoe too! If it's good enough for her...