My mom's name was
Clarisse. (
Clarisse Gabrielle). When she was in her 20's and started learning English, she shifted it to
Claire, which was what everyone except her brothers and sisters called her from that point on. The family still used
Clarisse. When she was in her 60's she moved to Florida where 2 of her sisters were living, and got into a huge tiff with one of them, who insisted on introducing her as
Clarissa, "because it sounded classier." My mom was probably the least pretentious person I've ever known, and
Claire suited her to a tea. I'm of the school that hates the issa names, guess I'm a chip off the old block.