Trying to sell my hubby on the name [name]Clarence[/name]. It is a family name and I have always loved it, but he thinks it is too “dated.” I tried to convince him it is a clunky-but-cool boy’s name. Other opinions?
I think [name]Clarence[/name] would be really cool, actually. Fits right in with the current wave of vintage revivals.
I think it could work… It might grow on me. I’m approaching it cautiously. 
I am usually a fan of clunky, but [name]Clarence[/name] doesn’t do anything for me. To be honest, I think it sounds kind of feminine. I’d only use it as a middle (if at all) if I were you.
I think I would have to take a little time to get used to it (I do love clunky-cool, but sometimes you just have to hear it enough in your mind first to get on board). However, picturing a precocious little [name]Clarence[/name] kindergardener in my mind is quite adorable. If it becomes too “uncool” for him at any point, there’s always [name]Clay[/name], for the sturdy masculine nn. And I feel like, given time, this could be a real winner, considering the popularity of [name]Claire[/name]/[name]Clara[/name] on the girl’s end of the spectrum. It certainly is an all-male name, but still holds an air of sensitivity. If [name]Clarence[/name] is too far out for your husband, though, I might suggest [name]Lawrence[/name] (a personal favorite of mine) as an alternative. I feel like [name]Geoffrey[/name] might fit your bill, too.
I don’t think it’s too clunky but I immediately think of It’s A Wonderful Life which isn’t a bad thing
I’ve always liked the name [name]Clarence[/name]! I think it’s due for a come back. [name]Clarence[/name] has substance, is a little different but not too out there.
I’m not a big fan of [name]Clarence[/name]. The nickname would be [name]Clare[/name] which is too feminine for my liking. I just don’t think of [name]Clarence[/name] as “old-fashioned cool” like [name]Emmett[/name], [name]Owen[/name] or [name]Henry[/name]. [name]Just[/name] my opinion, however.
Here are a few old-fashioned names I like that I think of as timeless:
[name]Emmett[/name]
[name]Owen[/name]
[name]Henry[/name]
[name]William[/name]
[name]Jack[/name]
[name]James[/name]
It also makes me think of [name]Clarence[/name] [name]Thomas[/name]
I love it. But I’m a huge fan of virtue/pseudo-virtue names on boys. [name]One[/name] of my boys’ name combos is [name]Clarence[/name] [name]Kenyon[/name] (my maiden name) NN [name]Clark[/name].
[name]Clarence[/name] was my grandfather’s middle name, and I personally believe it has great middle name potential! I agree with you that it is cool but an unused older name. I would hesitate to use it as a first name only because it is so close to [name]Clare[/name]/[name]Claire[/name] (which I absolutely love and would probably use on a girl!) My grandfather’s full name was [name]William[/name] [name]Clarence[/name]. Maybe you could compromise then on using it for a mdidle name? Good luck!
Maybe something like [name]Clark[/name] would be a little more hip-sounding!
I love [name]Clarence[/name], he’s one of my favourites for boys. I always thought I’d nickname him [name]Clancy[/name], but [name]Ren[/name] might be cooler
[name]Love[/name] your combo, and the nickname!
I like it with [name]Clancy[/name] as a nickname.