According to the Baby Name Wizard, it's on the upswing (around #200 nationally), but it's not as popular here as in VT, ID, or WA.

I love the name, but do know that Claire is getting quite popular even if Clara isn't. As someone with an "-a" name where the "-e" version was super popular in the decade before I was born...I can say that you should definitely look at the two names combined to gauge popularity. That said, I don't think either is so popular to take it out of consideration. Just know you/she may have to say "no, it's Clar-A" some of the time---and some people will just call her Claire anyway.

My DD is a Clara - and yes, it's a family name from a couple generations back, haters. She has a friend her age who is also a Clara.

I think it's getting MORE common, but it's not the most common name. We picked it for its family significance, not because it's a granny name or whatever.

I think it is a great name for right now. Two things to consider are the /cl/ sound (it is an ugly sound. say it ten times.) and he ambiguous first "A" (is it claire-uh or clar-uh. you will get both.) But, overall it is a sweet, classic name. It is not popular at all, but every Clara I know is awesome.

I love the name. If you love it, go for it.

Anonymous wrote:Hate the name. Almost as much as Molly, Lilian, Evelyn, Sadie etc.... I don't get why names from my grandmother's generation are back now. They were horrid then and they are horrid now.

Whaaat!? You're nuts. What names aren't borrowed from another generation? The made up ones (i.e. Jayden, Brayden, etc)? Everything old is new again...

Anyway, I like the name Clara. I have two kids and haven't met anyone in their classes/groups named Clara.

A friend of mine named her daughter Clara (she's one now). I remember thinking that is was simple and classic. That's the only one I know of and she is not local to this area.

I like Clara. Tara and Mara, not so much.

I know a 20 something named Clara. She's intelligent and lovely. I haven't met any younger Claras, though.

Love the name.

I know three little girls named Clara, so it seems to be gaining in popularity. To be honest, i don't like it, but if you do, then go for it!

Don't like it at all. To me, it sounds old-fashioned but in a really bad way. Claire is much prettier, and more modern-sounding.

I prefer Claire myself. But I don't know any young kids named Clara, so don't think it's that popular.

I love it. Beautiful.

It was my great grandmothers name and we considered it for this pregnancy when we found out we're having a girl, but ultimately liked another name better. I liked it more than DH did.

Anonymous wrote:Hate the name. Almost as much as Molly, Lilian, Evelyn, Sadie etc.... I don't get why names from my grandmother's generation are back now. They were horrid then and they are horrid now.

Ouch. My name is Clara. I'm in my twenties. (although, I was named after my grandmother