Clara

Long relegated to an Olde World backwater, the European-flavored Clara has been heading up the charts on sleeker sister Claire's coattails for the past few decades. Now, many would say the vintage chic Clara is the more stylish of the two names. Actor Ewan McGregor was an early celebrity adopter of the name for one of his daughters.

Clara has been a popularity list stalwart; now at Number 151, its highest point since 1947, it was a Top 10 name in the 1880's, at one time associated with the silent screen 'It girl,' Clara Bow.

Other Clara variations you might want to consider include Clarissa and Clarina, though Clarabelle seems still fit mainly for cows.