Message: "Clary" - Behind the Name

Clary

by kelly

3/15/2013, 9:28 AM

My mom has some new neighbors and one of their daughters is named Clary. It is not a nickname and just an "old fashioned" name. I had never heard of it before but thought it could either be nickname for Clare or a family surname (like Cleary).

The more I think about it, the more I like it. It is cute, young and fresh for a little girl but I think it could sound more mature and intellectual on an adult as well. I am thinking of Clary as a combination of Clarice Starling and Madame Curie.

WDYT?

#Clary

Replies

- Alcyone

3/16/2013, 1:15 PM

It's decent. I prefer Claire and Clara, but I don't mind Clary even though I think it's better as a nickname.

- Effie (guest)

3/15/2013, 3:08 PM

Clary sage was my first thought. In fact, when I first learned about clary sage I thought to myself: "That would be kind of cute as a name!" Guess I'm not the only one.

- Phoebe (Kate)

3/15/2013, 1:19 PM

Clary makes me think of the plant, and also Désirée Clary. I think it would make a wonderful nickname for Clara, Clare, etc.

- Tiggs +1

3/15/2013, 12:41 PM

In "Steel Magnolias", there's a character named Clairee, but the ending is stressed. Clary looks like it should be stressed on the first syllable, but "Steel Magnolias" was the first thing I thought of when I saw it. I can't say I'm wild about it, but I'm intrigued. It does feel rather refreshing. Letting this one simmer...

- kelly

3/15/2013, 6:43 PM

Sometime after my original post I was thinking "It could be spelled like Clairee. I've seen that somewhere."

The little girl does spell it Clary though.

- kudriashkajo (jodirae)

3/15/2013, 12:13 PM

Huh, that's kinda neat. I like it better than Cla(i)re, but not as much as Cleary. Intriguing...

- Wordsmith

3/15/2013, 10:30 AM

I went to school with a girl named Cleary, which she pronounced like Clary. It sounds awkward to my ears.

- mirfak +1

3/15/2013, 10:05 AM

It's an herb name, I think. Usually called clary sage but sometimes just clary. Pronounced Clair-ee. Are they saying it Clairee, or Clahree / Clawree?

I think it's nice too. Haven't thought about it in a long time, and the last time I did, I didn't like it.

- kelly

3/15/2013, 6:44 PM

It is pronounce Clair-ee.

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