Somewhat to our surprise, my husband and I are now leaning towards the name [name_m]Clarke[/name_m]. It wasn’t on either of our top 10s but has really been gradually growing on us. I’d like to get some broader feedback on your response to this name. Thank-you 
I like [name_m]Clarke[/name_m]. never considered it before now. [name_f]My[/name_f] first reaction was that it seems a little soft for my taste- like it could be the next boy name turned girl name. but when I put it with some middle names it actually feels very strong. it isnt super common which I think is a plus, and it isnt obscure. not my top, but I like it!
I know a little boy, around 2 years old, named [name_m]Clark[/name_m]. It seems like it will age well, though now they often call him Clarkie. What is the “e” for on the end? I would go will just spelling it [name_m]Clark[/name_m], unless that e is doing something like changing the pronounciation. Otherwise he is going to be saying “[name_m]Clarke[/name_m] with an e. No, not [name_m]Clerk[/name_m]. The e goes at the end” his whole life.
I think either spelling is fine. [name_m]Clarke[/name_m] is a little more surname-y. It’s a nice, strong, masculine name. It manages to sound classic and fresh at the same time.
[name_m]Clark/name_m seems very strong, bold, masculine, almost macho to me. Probably because I think of [name_m]Clark[/name_m] [name_m]Gable[/name_m], who played [name_m]Rhett[/name_m] [name_m]Butler[/name_m] in Gone With the Wind. On him it’s dashing, but it feels too clunky and harsh-sounding for a ‘normal’ person for me, sorry. The final E softens it a bit, but said out loud it won’t make a difference.
[name_f]Do[/name_f] [name_m]Clark[/name_m] and clerk sound the same in your accent? [name_m]Clark[/name_m] rhymes with [name_m]Mark[/name_m] for me, whereas clerk would rhyme with irk.
Thank-you for all of the input. I was thinking [name_m]Clarke[/name_m] w/ an “e” because I thought it seemed a bit younger, more modern and yes, softer. I have a Canadian-American mix of an accent so [name_m]Clarke[/name_m]/[name_m]Clarke[/name_m] rhymes w/ [name_m]Mark[/name_m] for me
[name_m]Clark[/name_m] is handsome! I actually think that without an “e”, it’s softer.