[name_f]Clara[/name_f] has been on our list forever and we are expecting a baby this spring [name_f][/name_f]- so we might finally have a chance to use her!
[name_f][/name_f]
What kind of “vibe” is the name [name_f]Clara[/name_f]? What do you picture when you think of a little girl named [name_f]Clara[/name_f]? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you like or dislike the name? How does it compare to other names in a similar vein? What about [name_f]Clara[/name_f] versus Claire/Clare?
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It feels like it checks a lot of boxes but I am the type of person that needs to examine a topic from every angle in order to land on a final decision. So looking to hear the good, the bad and everything in-between about [name_f]Clara[/name_f] to help me decide if it’s “the one”.
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For background, our last name is [name_m]Hamilton[/name_m] and we have a son named [name_m]Leo[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f] We would also be pronouncing the name CLAIR-AH (we prefer this pronunciation and we are in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] where this is the most common way to say the name).
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] is serene, smart and feminine without frills. I think [name_f]Clara[/name_f] [name_m]Hamilton[/name_m] would be memorable, like a literary heroine.
I always think of [name_f]Clara[/name_f] as the little girl in [name_f]Heidi[/name_f], so to me, she’s kind, positive, compassionate, and loyal. [name_f][/name_f] I’m from [name_m]New[/name_m] [name_f]England[/name_f], so I pronounce [name_f]Clara[/name_f] with a short “a” sound, although I also will sometimes use the [name_m]German[/name_m] pronunciation.
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[name_f]Clare[/name_f] is sleek and sophisticated, probably [name_f]English[/name_f]. [name_f][/name_f] I think [name_f]Claire[/name_f] is the most common form, and again, because I’m from [name_m]New[/name_m] [name_f]England[/name_f], she’s most likely to be [name_f]French[/name_f] Canadian, lol.
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I used to live in Vancouver, so the Claire-uh pronunciation is familiar to me.
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] is a really pretty, feminine, classic name. I’m [name_f]British[/name_f] so we use KLAARA pronunciation which I do prefer as I like the European feel. However appreciate that across the pond Clair-ah is the more common pronunciation. For me your pronunciation feels very feminine but with no frills, timeless, stoic, a little vintage which feels in keeping with Le0 and graceful. I think [name_f]Clara[/name_f] [name_m]Hamilton[/name_m] is lovely with a literacy flair.
I had Clara on my list of suggestions for you as a Leo sister, so glad to see it was already a contender & still in the running.
I see Clara as a literary, “girl in pretty frock reading under a willow tree” name but it also has a lot of heft and gumption - ie I can imagine her being good at sport, a natural leader, outgoing and spirited, involved in life.
I prefer it to Claire/Clare, which I like as a middle but it’s a little too spare (excuse the poem) for me.
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] gives me vintage charm but with a fresh, bright feel! It’s well established with a clear sound and doesn’t strike me as tired or overdone!
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I like [name_f]Clara[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- I’ve known a couple of Claras who have been quite different, so it feels like a versatile, flexible name to me! One was a sweet but shy kid, sassy and giggly when she got to know you; another was serious and sensible but creative; the other was confident, put together and efficient.
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Between [name_f]Clara[/name_f] and [name_f]Claire[/name_f] I much prefer [name_f]Clara[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- it feels so much more airy and bright.
I absolutely love the name [name_f]Clara[/name_f]! It’s so sweet, graceful, and sophisticated! I much prefer it to Clare/Claire as the -a ending gives it an extra sparkle of femininity and grace. [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Leo[/name_m] and [name_f]Clara[/name_f] go wonderfully together!
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] to me is hair ribbons, ballet shoes, pinafores, Victorian children’s books, mittens, noses pressed against patisserie windows, snowy eyelashes, cosy blankets, a well-behaved and sweet little girl. I suppose my take is very much informed by the Nutcracker association and old school European vibes, so perhaps take with a pinch of salt? The ‘Clair-ah’ pn skews a little more gingham and apple pie to me.
Unfortunately, I currently will be the odd one out. Im sorry
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Personally, I do dislike Clara/Claire both. For me, it’s all the pronounciations ‘clair-ah’, ‘clair’ and ‘clar-ah’. I am sensitive to sounds, and they sound abrupt, harsher sounding and nasally. [name_m]Just[/name_m] doesn’t appeal or ring well to my ears. It reminds me of [name_f]Lara[/name_f] and [name_f]Nora[/name_f], both as well I have the same issue with hearing them that just makes me dislike them and their sound. I think it has to do with the harsh ‘R’ sound that just doesn’t agree with me. Written down looking at the names doesnt do anything for me either. [name_f][/name_f]Unfortunately, I dont have any picture or vibe to contribute. [name_f][/name_f]Im sorry!
[name_f]Clara[/name_f] is beautiful! [name_f][/name_f] I’m currently listening to an audiobook with a [name_f]Clara[/name_f] in it, she’s spirited and intelligent and determined and creative and tenderhearted and quirky. [name_f][/name_f] Besides this [name_f]Clara[/name_f], I also think of the Nutcracker and [name_m]Christmas[/name_m] and sugar plums. [name_f][/name_f] She brings to mind bright magenta and princessy dresses. [name_f][/name_f] She also feels rich to me, not materially rich but more like dark chocolate than milk chocolate, if that makes sense?
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Which for me is why I prefer simple [name_f]Claire[/name_f], which is a name very close to my heart (honors some special family members, although [name_f]Clara[/name_f] would honor them just as easily). [name_f][/name_f] I love how light as a feather [name_f]Claire[/name_f] feels, more timeless, almost? [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Clara[/name_f] feels vintage and very in style now, but [name_f]Claire[/name_f] feels like it’s been familiar for decades now? [name_f][/name_f] She makes me think of beautiful flowerbeds and little girls in tutus dancing through gardens and sitting in corners of old libraries and swinging from hammocks under towering evergreens, reading books and sharing secrets and painting at the kitchen table and baking with grammy on a stepstool and playing piano duets with auntie, not even able to reach the pedals yet. [name_f][/name_f] [name_f]Clara[/name_f] is gorgeous and rich and almost in a way ethereal for me, but [name_f]Claire[/name_f] is sweet and light and wearable? [name_f][/name_f] I’m not sure if that makes sense, but for me, [name_f]Claire[/name_f] is my choice, but [name_f]Clara[/name_f] Ham!lton is a beautiful name and goes so well with [name_m]Leo[/name_m]!
[name_f][/name_f] We would also be pronouncing the name CLAIR-AH (we prefer this pronunciation and we are in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] where this is the most common way to say the name).
