How do you say "Clara"?

[cicely_m]

We had almost decided on this name as a frontrunner, but now there's some question about the pronunciation... so how do you say it? Also, please, tell me where you're from if you don't mind.

[Golden]

Clair-a

But I've heard Clah-rah too.

[AndVeeGeeMakes3]

I say Clair-ah. I'm in the South. I think it's a lovely name. What are the other pronunciations? I don't think I've heard any others in the States, though in Germany I heard Clar-uh (with the a pronounced like "car").

eta: i didn't see the other pronunciations before writing. Still think Clair-ah.

[fresh_veggie]

Air. From Texas

[katelove]

Air but I'm from Australia so that probably doesn't help much :-)

[cicely_m]

I say Clair-a. And that's how it was being pronounced when we were reading the name lists and decided it was a good name. Then, last night, DH (who is half German) said, "You know, it's really Clar-a." (like in car) I was in shock, as I had never heard of such a thing. I told him (playfully) that here in America we say "Clair-a." He said that in England and Germany (both countries in which he has family) it's Clar-a. Then I realized that here in New Jersey, it would be Clah-ra.... (I'm originally from the south). Obviously, we would need to decide among ourselves how it would be pronounced, but I also wanted to get some idea of the general public-- how most people she met would say her name.

[cicely_m]

Originally Posted by katelove

Air but I'm from Australia so that probably doesn't help much :-)

That's actually VERY helpful, as that's where DH grew up!

[j_p_i]

I say "Clair-a" too. From New England here

[dogmom327]

Clair-a...never considered there might be another pronunciation. Interesting.

[Mom2M]

I say Clah-ra like apple, never imagined it another way, lol!

ETA from NE US

[learnlovebe]

Cl-air-ah. That's the pronunciation I like. Clara like car is also a nice pronunciation too though. However, I think mainstream America will pronounce it w/ the "air" pronunciation.

I'm from Minnesota, but have lived in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Ohio.

[dawncayden]

Air

Western Canada

[jimblejamble]

Clair-ah.

From California, in December got transplanted to Utah.

[Dar]

Clair-uh, grew up all over the US... although I've always known the little girl in the Nutcracker as Clahr (rhymes with car)-uh.

[momasana]

I loves me a name poll!

I say it like air.

I'm from all over the Western half of the US, currently in TX.

[cicely_m]

Originally Posted by momasana

I loves me a name poll!

Me too!

Thanks, everyone, this is very informative!

[Siobhain]

I say it like "are" and I am an australian living in the US so I am getting used to the "air" pronunciation, my first instinct is ARE though.

[BekahMomToOliver]

I say "Clar-ah" (like car, 3rd option). I'm from Ontario. But, my entire family is still very much British, I think that has something to do w/ it, because around here it's more commonly pronounced with the "air" sound.

[amydiane]

Air, and I'm from Florida. It's my MIL's middle name and that's how she pronounces it also (she's from New York).

[leighann79]

Air. I'm in Kansas.