View Message

It was really overused in the UK in the 70s and 80s so is considered dull and dated here now, like Laura, Emma and Sarah. I would like Clara but it's pronounced KHLAR-uh here which I think sounds really harsh.

I love Claire. So pretty and simple. It's like Jane, only without the baggage.

---

It doesn't make me think of winter at all. Makes me think more of sunshine. A clear, bright day ... from the meaning I guess, and word associations. Maybe reminds of a "winter" color palette, but not of chill and ice.

---

Clara makes me think of white aprons and flour. It's dusty and stern and domestic. It's certainly powerful, and it's not ugly. But on a child today I would get an impression that it's self-consciously styled as classic, and compared to Claire it seems a little stuffy.

It's a pronunciation issue for me.

---

I say KLAHra, but I believe Americans rhyme Clara with Sarah. I like Clara, but it doesn't sound very English to me.

---

As for Claire, I don't see the point of using a French spelling if the pronunciation is going to be English. I love Clare and would use it, but Claire looks, not just unEnglish but over-ornate.

They're both lovely. I also like Clarity but would probably never use it myself.

There was a phase where Claire was my absolute favorite name. The sound is so nice. I get what you mean by thinking of snow an winter to me it sounds like... ice crystals, maybe? Maybe just because it means clear, idk. It's so pretty though, wow. I used to wish it was my name. Clara's nice too. Less modern. These days I go back and forth over which I like better. I have a cousin with a two-year-old named Clara.

Claire actually makes me think of bright sunny days, not winter, lol.

---

Far prefer Clara, it's my number one name for a girl. Pronounced Clah-rah, not Clair-a.

---

Claire is boring to me. Plain as a first name, even worse as a middle name, quite filler. I've just heard it so many times. It's like Sarah or Jessica.

Claire is light and airy. I also adore the meaning. It's a bit more common (where I live) but there's something about it I like & I love your description. Clara is pretty also but I dislike that there are two different pronunciations. Plus, I have a pet in my family with the name Clara.

---

I'd use Claire any day, it's very pretty.

This message was edited 10/21/2017, 1:38 PM

It's fine, but I find it boring. Like Laura or Sarah.

---

Clara is a bit more interesting.

Hi Perrine !!!

---

Claire tied with winter (actually with snow and ice imo) is a lovely link!!

---

I much prefer Claire while Clara is boring, serious and dated in my mind.

---

As you know one of my favourite combos for a future real daughter is Stella Claire so I can say that I absoloutly love it.

---

PS. Could you remember me that French website where you can search for ranking since 1890s to about 2015? Every ranking has not only the top10 but many pages (maybe the top500? I can't remember). Both feminine and masculine ranking were close to each other for every year. You told me that in the past but I did't save it...

This message was edited 10/21/2017, 10:54 AM

Yawn...

---

One of my dearest friends is named Claire, but the name itself is so lackluster to me. I much prefer Clara, though Clarisse is my favorite form.

I love Claire and would consider using it. Clara is also great, but today I think I prefer Claire. I like how crisp and snappy it is.

I like Claire a lot. I don't hear it much as a first name. I see it more as a middle. Its familiar and pretty but not overly frilly. Clara is pretty too! I doubt I would ever use either for myself but enjoy hearing them on little ones!

Claire is.....okay, but I've known people who seem to think it's just so special and I don't see why. I do have some negative associations. When I was a teenager, I knew a girl named Claire and a girl named Clare and they were both weird. Also, it always makes me think of the word "eclair".

---

Clara is somewhat clunky, but I do like its nineteenth-century vibe. I prefer it to Claire.

Clara, because I just don't like Claire unless it's in the middle, like with my name. (my mn is actually spelled Clare, but still) Claire is just plain, while Clara gives me an elegant vibe.

I go back and forth on Claire. Right now I'm loving it. Other times I think it's a tad boring.

---

It does make me think of winter. A beautiful clear winter day.

---

There's something very elegant about Claire. It's not one of my top names but I wouldn't be upset if I had to use it.

---

Clara is pretty too but I prefer Claire.

This message was edited 10/21/2017, 8:26 AM

Claire is alright, but I prefer Clara, which is what's being used where I live. I probably would have preferred Claire if I lived in a English speaking country though.

I have bad associations with the name and prefer Clare.

I prefer Claire (Claire Matilda, Claire, Victoria, Claire Elizabeth).

---

Clara seems like a really fat lady to me due to my own associations.