There are some names I’ve always loved and before my daughter was born I was sure we’d have the right name for her chosen within a week. Never thought I’d face such a hard choice but here I am - completely stuck now :-? I would really appreciate some advise.
After countless discussions and votings we’ve shortlisted a few names with DH that we both like - but unfortunately each is coming with some doubts:
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] - gorgeous name but a close family member is called [name_f]Claire[/name_f] and I’d prefer to give my daughter a more unique name. Or are these names distinct and I shouldn’t bother?
[name_f]Laura[/name_f] - seems like whole family’s preferred option which makes me think the name is a real classic but I have some doubts if it hasn’t been overused by now - everyone knows at least two Lauras and it might seem a bit dated. Still, the name is gorgeous in itself. Should we go with it?
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] - I love the meaning (“renowned warrior”) and the name itself but I’m not convinced about the NNs, [name_u]Lou[/name_u] and [name_f]LouLou[/name_f], which she’ll be likely called by at school… I’m also concerned about “loo” association which my 6 years old pointed out (haven’t really thought about it before). Also, isn’t the name too old fashioned?
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] - love the name, don’t like the meaning (lame, crippled).
I have another daughter, called [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] and this name seems almost perfect as I think about it now - not too common, never mispronounced, great meaning - and suits her perfectly… I’d love to find something similar for DD #2 but so far I haven’t found the name I’d be convinced about
What are your thoughts? Would you have any other recommendations that could be worth considering?
Out of your list I’d go [name_f]Laura[/name_f] because it seems to have the least issues (yes it may sound dated to some but it would be novel in her class) but have you considered [name_f]Clarissa[/name_f]? It was most popular in the 90’s but not too popular and is similar to [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] but has the same beautiful meaning as [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and she can go by [name_f]Clary[/name_f].
Other suggestions -
[name_f]Antonia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Nia[/name_f]
[name_f]Cassandra[/name_f] nn [name_u]Cass[/name_u]
[name_f]Juliana[/name_f] nn [name_u]Julie[/name_u]
[name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] nn [name_f]Willa[/name_f]
[name_f]Anneliese[/name_f] nn [name_f]Anne[/name_f]
[name_f]Bridget[/name_f] nn [name_f]Bri[/name_f]
[name_f]Camilla[/name_f] nn [name_f]Cami[/name_f]
[name_f]Calliope[/name_f] nn [name_f]Callie[/name_f]
[name_f]Selena[/name_f] nn [name_f]Lena[/name_f]
[name_f]Lavinia[/name_f] nn [name_u]Vinnie[/name_u]
[name_u]Carmen[/name_u] nn [name_u]Cary[/name_u]
[name_f]Angelina[/name_f] nn [name_f]Lina[/name_f]
If [name_f]Clarissa[/name_f] isn’t your speed I think my top choice would be [name_f]Selena[/name_f]. It’s elegant , beautiful , if you have more children it would work well with any of your choices and who wouldn’t love a name meaning moon goddess?
Out of your list, I love [name_f]Claudia[/name_f]! Especially with [name_f]Matilda[/name_f].
I didn’t know the meaning and most wouldn’t, so personally I wouldn’t let that affect my decision.
Next I like [name_f]Louisa[/name_f]. I think [name_u]Lou[/name_u] is so cute as a nn!
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] is a bit close to [name_f]Claire[/name_f].
I do find [name_f]Laura[/name_f] dated.
I also like [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f]
I love both [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] and [name_f]Louisa[/name_f]. It sounds like the nicknames for [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] would bother you, so I would pick [name_f]Claudia[/name_f], but then I am not that into name meanings.
To me, [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] and [name_f]Laura[/name_f] are not as stylistically compatible with [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] as [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Louisa[/name_f].
I am biased as I have a [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and we get compliments on her name all the time. It’s timeless and classic but not overdone.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] made our short list for our 2nd daughter, if you don’t love the “[name_u]Lou[/name_u]” reference, what about [name_f]Lola[/name_f] for a nickname instead? I love that option with [name_f]Matilda[/name_f].
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] is darling, another one we considered and I feel like it’s a stylistic match with [name_f]Matilda[/name_f].
[name_f]Laura[/name_f] is fine, it just doesn’t excite me as much as the others and doesn’t fit as well with [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] in my opinion. That having been said, it’s definitely a classic and still a lovely name.
I think you should go with [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] or [name_f]Claudia[/name_f]. But more [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] on my side. It just goes better with [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] than [name_f]Louisa[/name_f]. I may also add that there are other debated meanings for [name_f]Claudia[/name_f]/[name_u]Claude[/name_u]/[name_f]Claudette[/name_f].
Yes, [name_f]Laura[/name_f] is a bit dated, but I only know one, so I don’t think it would be overused.
I wouldn’t say [name_f]Clara[/name_f] is too similar to [name_f]Claire[/name_f], but use with caution, I guess.
Was coming here to say this. The most common is “enclosure” which isn’t that appealing on its own but may be more so with the right middle name.
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] is by far my favorite of your choices. I love the sound of [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] and [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] together.
I don’t think [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] is too old fashioned, but [name_u]Lou[/name_u] or [name_f]Lulu[/name_f] both seem inevitable so I would advise against it. [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Claire[/name_f] are very close, but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. [name_f]Laura[/name_f] is a lovely name, and does not feel dated to me.
If you used the spelling of [name_f]Luisa[/name_f] rather than [name_f]Louisa[/name_f], would that feel less likely to be shortened to [name_u]Lou[/name_u] or [name_f]LouLou[/name_f]?
My beloved [name_f]Nana[/name_f] was named [name_f]Mathilde[/name_f] (although she started life as Teckla…long story). She had sisters named [name_f]Sophia[/name_f] (who because [name_f]Sonia[/name_f]—Sewn-ya) & [name_f]Christina[/name_f], if you think either of those match w/your [name_f]Matilda[/name_f].
[name_f]IMO[/name_f] [name_f]Clara[/name_f] is distinct from [name_f]Claire[/name_f], as their pronunciations are very different, at least the way I say them: [name_u]Clair[/name_u], as in rhyming w/air; Claa-ruh rather than [name_u]Clair[/name_u]-ah. [name_f]Clarissa[/name_f] is a very pretty suggestion.
[name_f]Laura[/name_f] is definitely a classic, but to my ear a three-syllable name goes better w/[name_f]Matilda[/name_f] than a two-syllable name (another reason I like [name_f]Clarissa[/name_f] more than [name_f]Clara[/name_f]).
Of your options, I think I like [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] the best w/[name_f]Matilda[/name_f], regardless of what the name means. From other suggestions, [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] & [name_f]Clarissa[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] & [name_f]Luisa[/name_f], & [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] & [name_f]Anneliese[/name_f] all work for me.
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] - love this but I’d also pause with close family member [name_f]Claire[/name_f].
[name_f]Laura[/name_f] - love this too but you do have to be okay with its popularity.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] - good pick I think, as it feels fresh rather than old-fashioned now. I like [name_u]Lou[/name_u] and [name_f]Lulu[/name_f] though. [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] is another possible nickname, and I would also encourage using full name [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] if that’s what you want.
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] - I also love this. The old meaning wouldn’t put me off. Words change meaning through history. In fact there are many words in English we use now that have the opposite meaning to what they had in the middle ages. My studies of linguistics are many years ago now so I can’t remember examples. So, I would just choose to give it a new meaning for my child, such as ‘overcoming challenges’. I really would not let an original meaning for a name thousands of years old define how I use it now…
I think that having a [name_f]Claire[/name_f] in the family does spoil [name_f]Clara[/name_f] a little, but it’s still a very sweet name. I agree with you that [name_f]Laura[/name_f] does seem a bit overused - maybe not the best option. [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] is pretty enough that I think it makes up for the meaning. And as for [name_f]Louisa[/name_f]: it’s my favorite pick for you. I know plenty of people with a longer, more formally, traditionally nicknamed name that all go by their full name, and only their full name. (I know an [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], a [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], multiple people named [name_m]Robert[/name_m]…) I don’t think it’s old-fashioned at all. It’s vintage, but it’s a name being revived.
I think [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] (nn [name_u]Claude[/name_u]) would be a great name to go with sister [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. It’s such a lovely name, and very uncommon [name_f]IMO[/name_f].
I do love [name_f]Clara[/name_f], but I think it would be confusing with a [name_f]Claire[/name_f] in the family.
I really like [name_f]Clara[/name_f], its sounds fresh and newer to me. [name_m]How[/name_m] often do you see the family member ([name_f]Claire[/name_f]) I don’t really see it being an issue, they are different names
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Claire[/name_f] feel very different to my ears. One is very antique and elegant, the other is more perky and modern. If you’re worried, you could use [name_f]Clara[/name_f] as a nickname for a longer, more unusual name (like Esclaramonde, pronounced es-[name_f]CLARA[/name_f]-mund, or [name_f]Clarabel[/name_f], or [name_f]Clarinda[/name_f]).
[name_f]Laura[/name_f] is very very common and feels very 80s, up there with the Brittanys and the Megans. I’d avoid.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f] is unusual but doesn’t sound as pretty as the others. And I agree, the nicknames aren’t great.
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] is super cute! And honestly, the meaning doesn’t really matter and most people don’t know what any names mean. Take [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f], which is beautiful but means “blind.” Or [name_f]Emily[/name_f] (rival), [name_f]Leah[/name_f] (weary), [name_f]Mallory[/name_f] (unlucky). I don’t think people think about this at all, so if you love [name_f]Claudia[/name_f], don’t let it bother you. [name_f]Claudia[/name_f] and [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] sound beautiful together!
Other suggestions: the aforementioned [name_f]Cecilia[/name_f], [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] ([name_u]Ruby[/name_u] and [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] are adorable together), [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] ([name_f]Ginny[/name_f]), [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Camilla[/name_f], [name_f]Allegra[/name_f], [name_f]Zelda[/name_f], [name_f]Cordelia[/name_f], [name_f]Hazel[/name_f], [name_f]Winifred[/name_f] ([name_f]Winnie[/name_f]).
[name_f]Laura[/name_f] is my favorite from your ideas, and I don’t think it’s too dated or overused (in fact I think it’d be a nice now-underused classic for your daughter’s generation). I do like all of your suggestions though, and [name_f]Clara[/name_f] would be my second pick but like you said I’m not sure I’d use it with a [name_f]Claire[/name_f] in the family.
I probably wouldn’t use [name_f]Clara[/name_f] if there was already a little [name_f]Claire[/name_f] in my family. It is pretty though.
[name_f]Laura[/name_f] feels a tad dated but wouldn’t be a bad choice.
[name_f]Claudia[/name_f] does have a bad name meaning but like others have said, most people? [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t know or care about name meanings. So I don’t think it’s something that would hang over her.
[name_f]Louisa[/name_f]'s nicknames don’t inspire you, but maybe you could have her go by her full name? I think it’s short enough to work fine that way.
All in all my favorite for you would be [name_f]Claudia[/name_f], followed by [name_f]Louisa[/name_f].
They are all really beautiful names but I personally prefer [name_f]Clara[/name_f]. I also really like the meaning of [name_f]Louisa[/name_f] but I’m just not really into the name, it feels too out of date. I think [name_f]Clara[/name_f] sounds very elegant and timeless and I think you can’t go wrong with it. I think As for [name_f]Claire[/name_f] and [name_f]Clara[/name_f] I think there is enough difference and I don’t think their names will clash.
I really like [name_f]Claudia[/name_f]. I’m going to copy and paste part of the information provided on Behind the Name: ““Lame” and “Crippled” came from [name_m]Tiberius[/name_m] [name_m]Claudius[/name_m] [name_m]Caesar[/name_m] [name_m]Augustus[/name_m] [name_m]Germanicus[/name_m]. It is thought that he suffered from cerebral palsy and yes, was “lame,” twitchy, and weak. But he was smart. He brought [name_m]Britain[/name_m] into the [name_m]Roman[/name_m] Empire. He built roads, aqueducts and canals across the [name_m]Roman[/name_m] Empire; these are now hailed as magnificent achievements. [name_m]Roman[/name_m] history is confusing & there are several [name_m]Claudius[/name_m]’, but THE [name_m]Claudius[/name_m], the “I, [name_m]Claudius[/name_m]” of books and movies is the “lame” one that seems to offend people consumed by the meaning of names. Be proud of our guy. He overcame a disease to become a great ruler, so great that he had to be poisoned.”
