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This isn't relevant to the question, but...
I just randomly came across a record of someone named Luise Clara Charlotte b 1878...then I was curious so found an unrelated Louise Clara Charlotte born in 1858, plus a Clara Charlotte Louise b 1866...and I'm sure there's more. They both seem mid/late 19th century German (and linked to Charlotte).

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I prefer Louise because it feels like it has more gravitas, and I prefer saying it. The 2nd syllable in Clara sounds like overkill to me, because I'm used to and like Clare already - somehow that makes Clara seem clunky/frilly/frumpy even though it's shortish - also, Cora seems a similar style/age/sound, and I like that more).

This message was edited 10/6/2019, 12:33 AM

I prefer Clara. I do think Louise could sound stuffy, but it also reminds me of the Bob's Burgers character so that does not make me think Louise is so stuffy after all, haha.

Clara for sure.

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Clara is harsh and brassy, but it's classic, antique enough to not be dowdy anymore, and feminine in a strong way. I mentally have it in a category with names like Helen, Martha, and Dorothy.

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Louise seems more mediocre. Like a name that was trendy in its time, rather than feeling like a classic. It goes with names like Shirley, Rita, Thelma in my mind. And sounds ugly to my ears, luWEEZ. Louisa's better, more classicky to me and less ugly - but not better than Clara, because WEE.

This message was edited 10/4/2019, 5:35 PM

Clara, but pronounced CLEAR-uh.

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Louise sounds too snottily regal to me.

This message was edited 10/4/2019, 2:22 PM

Clara, 100%.
Louise sounds kinda old-ladyish.
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I quite like them both, but I like Eloise better than Louise and Clare better than Clara, so I'd never use either.

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Confusingly, I think I like Louise better than Clara but Clare better than Eloise.

Clara, by a large margin. It's a very beautiful and sophisticated name. I've always admired it, even well before my youngest niece came along.
I've never cared for Louise. It just sounds stuffy and dated to me.

Clara as Clah-ruh. Louise is too wheezy for me.

Clara sounds prettier to me. I really like that whole family of names (Clara, Claire, Clarice, etc). That's just my preference. Louise doesn't have quite the same sparkle to it for me.

This message was edited 10/4/2019, 11:42 AM

In reality, Clara (or Klara). Louise is dated here and not something I'd personally use but I do like the sound. Clara/Klara has been a favorite for years but I'm getting a bit tired of it.

Clara

Louise

Clara.

Both are lovely, but Clara wins out for me. The “wheeze” part of Louise sticks out a bit.