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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Clarence

138 replies

Gracefullywalking · 20/05/2026 14:54

I need to know if I've gone mad. This name is not a name that I would have even considered before I fell pregnant, but it continues to grow on me the more that I've thought about it. I just think Clarence sounds like a cute name for a little boy and would also sound mature in adulthood. Thoughts?

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minipie · 20/05/2026 14:54

You’ve gone mad.

faerylune · 20/05/2026 15:07

I love it!

ReallyIsThisStillGoingOn · 20/05/2026 15:08

Mad.

VerityUnreasonble · 20/05/2026 15:08

I actually quite like it. I knew a Clarence (Clarry) who was in his 80s, he was a lovely man and the name sort of grew on me.

I also quite like Crawford as a first name.

WiltedLettuce · 20/05/2026 15:11

I'm not sure he'd thank you for it.

foreversunshine · 20/05/2026 15:14

Makes me think of the angel from Wonderful Life. That's neither a good or bad thing, though.

I think it's a bit of a mouthful and doesn't have a common nick-name to smooth the edges. I know lots of people don't want or like nicknames but I think Clarence is of the same ilk as Edward, Alfred, Theodore, Harold, Frederick, Arthur etc that are gaining in popularity, except those all have commonly-known nick-names that take the edge off the harshness of the 'oldie times' vibe.

HugoThatway · 20/05/2026 15:18

It's your hormones duck.

Dratthebest · 20/05/2026 15:19

You've definitely gone mad.

It makes me think of the posh bantam eggs they sell in Waitrose... 🐔

ForeverTheOptomist · 20/05/2026 15:22

I love it. I called my son by a rather unusual name many eons ago. I’ve never met anyone older with the same name, but there are LOADS of younger ones! Go on. Be brave. Start a trend!!

Purplecatshopaholic · 20/05/2026 15:22

Hormones are evil op. Dont do it to the poor lad!

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 20/05/2026 15:25

I quite like it 🙈😂

ImFineItsAllFine · 20/05/2026 15:30

Nooooo don't do it

ainsleysanob · 20/05/2026 15:31

I love it!

SabrinaThwaite · 20/05/2026 15:31

Clarence was the cross eyed lion in Daktari.

SnowFrogJelly · 20/05/2026 15:36

Awful

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 20/05/2026 15:39

I like it. It’s cute ☺️

bumphope2020 · 20/05/2026 15:47

Older generation will hate it, as they do so many of the older names. I wouldn’t personally use it, but would think it’s cute if introduced to one.

MsGreying · 20/05/2026 15:47

House.

Nah. Not for me.

greglet · 20/05/2026 15:53

Oh I love it!

Bigearringsbigsmile · 20/05/2026 15:54

You've gone mad. Wait for the hormones to die down before making any decisions!

JustGiveMeReason · 20/05/2026 15:59

Makes me immediately say "the cross eyed lion" although I'm guessing younger folk wouldn't.

Setting that aside, I really don't like it.

Bristolandlazy · 20/05/2026 15:59

First thing that pops into my mind is "clearance Clarence" quote from Airplane.

Personally I think it's a strange baby name.

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jackstini · 20/05/2026 16:11

It was my DH’s Grandad’s name although everyone called him Cal

He wanted to honour him but we used Cal as Ds middle name as it sounded better

I don’t mind it in full, but would use Cal as a nn especially when young; baby Clarence sounds too much

Hotandpointy · 20/05/2026 16:12

I know a Clarence, he’s 12 and other kids haven’t batted an eyelid about his name so far. He gets called Claz as a nickname sometimes and is popular at school, he’s a great kid.

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 20/05/2026 16:15

Interesting isn't it, it's the 'r' versus the 'z'.
Barry, Gary, Clarence all sound a bit wet.
Bazzer, Gazza, Claz - dudes.