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Clarice
While doing research on my ancestors, I found two great-great-great-grandmothers (both on my mom's side) named Clarice. They were born around the 1840s/1850s. I think Clarice sounds like a really pretty name, but unfortunately people might think of Clarice Starling from The Silence of the Lambs.What do you think of Clarice? Did The Silence of the Lambs really ruin it?

This message was edited 6/12/2012, 3:23 PM

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I find it a little dated. Clarisse is slightly better, to me.
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Hopefully, kids will think of Queen Clarice from The Princess Diaries. I like it.
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Oh that's a good association! I love Julie Andrews. Now I might just stop hearing Clarice in the voice of Hannibal Lector... argh but I'm afraid it's still giving me the shivers thinking about it! Pity. It's a lovely name in theory!
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My first thought was actually of Clarice the Doe from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It's a cute image, I think.I'm not a fan of the name. There is something about the way the two syllables come together that irks me. It's a name I really want to like but can't. Ya' know?
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I saw a bit of SotL on TV, and was startled to hear it pronounced like kla-REES. I've only known two in my life, both elderly and now no longer with us, but both were KLA-ris, with the A as in apple. This seems much nicer to me, and also more convincing. Closer to Clarissa.
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I like it, though I prefer Clarissa. I was so sorry I ever saw the movie (and never watched the sequels), not because of the use of Clarice, but just because of the subject matter. I am sometimes reminded of the film when I hear the name, but it hasn't caused me to dislike it.
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I love the name Clarice. I had the benefit of knowing two girls named Clarise (spelled like this, I'm not sure why) before I knew what the movie was so it's really not tainted for me at all. I actually really love it.
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I like Clarice, but I definitely prefer Clarisse. The -rice part of Clarice stands out to me, and I think of "rice", but it's not that big of a deal. The Silence of the Lambs association doesn't bother me. Clarice Starling was the protagonist and I liked her character, so I don't think it's a bad association. Some people might think of Hannibal Lecter saying her name, but I wouldn't let it keep you from using it.

This message was edited 6/12/2012, 7:35 PM

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HannibalSorry to butt in. I just wanted to vent how much I dislike that movie for ruining a great boy's name like Hannibal. It's going to take two generations to get that one back into the "usable" column again, if ever. (grumble, mumble, grumble)

This message was edited 6/12/2012, 5:11 PM

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It was the name of the day a couple of days ago, and I was delighted to see that it's made up of Hann- (grace) and Ba'al. Grace-dieu Lecter isn't nearly so scarey!
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No trouble at all. I like Hannibal too. I like its meaning and the history behind it. It's too bad that it isn't usable.
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I didn't care for the name Clarice before "Silence of the Lambs," sorry. But I wouldn't let a movie get in the way of a family name if I were you, expecially if you love it. Use it as a mn, or maybe turn it into Clarissa if you really are nervous about it.
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I guess you're right. Family is more important.My mom's paternal grandfather also had a sister named Clarice, who actually lived to see me. She was named after their grandmother. The other Clarice was from my maternal grandmother's father's side.

This message was edited 6/12/2012, 3:33 PM

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Aw. With all those connections you almost have to use it now. I don't care for the name and you are making me love it. :-)
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I never liked it, even before that movie. It sounds so trailer-trash.
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