Without looking into it deeply, I just cant stand the i. It looks like it was just thrown in there when it doesnt have to be.
Clare is more appealing and nice to look at. If you are trying a fn though, most will probably add the "i". However, I have been correcting people all my life with my name, and frankly, I am happy with my spelling because it is different. I would love to see
Clare more widely used.
Also, where my bias comes in - my grandfather's mn is
Clarence, and I have always thought it would be cute to use
Clarence as a fn on a son because I do love it.
Clare would be a nice nn. When I started liking it as a mn option for a daughter (to honor my grandfather), I would use
Clare (not
Claire) to honor him.
~~
Kris~~