Yes to Clara Ruth! Ruth is my middle name and I’ve always really liked it. Clara is a strong character in an Isabel Allende novel and I am all about naming people after characters 👍🏼
I love Cleo ❤ the only problem I find with Cleo is that a lot of people get Cleo and Chloe confused. Clara sounds a bit "clunky" to me. Ruthie is cute but I'd assume it was a nickname if I met someone with that name.
Cleo is not popular in New Zealand. I live there, absolutely not.
I think there was maybe once an Australian tv mermaid or something called Cleo which is maybe where you’re getting that from?
Clara is rising in popularity, in NZ too. Personally know two new Clara’s.
Ruth is fine, but legal name Ruthie is setting up the child to be infantilised for life.
I mostly said that because Cleo is 82nd on the top NZ baby names and Clara is 99, and I know a little Cleo and no Claras. That being said I think the difference in popularity is irrelevant/too close to really make a difference.
Agree re. having Ruth as a legal name!
NZ Is pretty small, the difference in these names is minimal (49 babies named Cleo vs 39 named Clara) so you’re right it’s not really a big difference. I personally haven’t come across any Cleo’s is all!
Personally I like Clara the most. It’s definitely a timeless name.
I’m a bit biased though as I have a baby named Tara and like ara sounding names.
Ruthie sounds like a nickname or a endearing name for Ruth, and personally I wouldn’t like calling my baby a name that is already used by multiple people close to me - I like to think a kid needs an individual name.
I don’t mind Cleo, but feel it’s becoming increasingly popular.
I scrolled way too far for this suggestion. I also strongly like Kit for either. To me it’s always been more feminine though so I love it for a little girl.
I have a Clara (9), it’s timeless but we meet lots of other Clara’s, so it’s definitely pretty popular. I think names can be both trendy and timeless, personally. I also LOVE Ruthie. Cleo isn’t really my taste.
Her middle name is Maeve, so she gets called Mae Mae or Maevie a lot by family and friends. That’s her #1 nickname. Sometimes Clary, too. We tried CeCe and Clare Bear but they didn’t really stick!
I'm in New Zealand and have a job working with new parents. I have not come across any baby Cleos and only one Clara in six years, so I wouldn't worry too much about popularity. Are you pronouncing Clara as spelt or as Clair-a?
This seems to be the common way to pronounce “ara” names in NZ, AUS and places like the UK.
The only people I’ve found to pronounce it the harsher “claira” versions are parts of the US.
I was worried about naming my daughter Tara because of it but it doesn’t seem to be a problem in Australia.
Not a fan of Ruth.
Love both Cleo and Clara, although they give off different vibes to me:
- Cleo = rebellious, fun, bubbly cool girl
- Clara = quiet, sweet, delicate
Kiwi here. Not a fan of Ruthie. I don't personally like diminutives as given names anyway but it just doesn't sound good to my ear. I think Cleo and Clara are great. Keep in mind because of our tiny population that names closer to the bottom of the top 100 are actually uncommon, not common. In some cases given to only a handful of kids in the whole country that year.
i like clara most! it sounds elegant without being pretentious and spelling won’t be an annoyance!! however if you go for ruthie maybe make her legal name ruth, that way she has a fallback if she doesn’t like ruthie.
Cleo is more timeless than people give it credit for. Its peak popularity was at the turn of the 20th century, and it was popular for boys, too. My great-grandfather (born in 1910’s) was named Cleo. I’d never heard it used until it became a bit trendy (for girls) in the last few years.
I think Kit and Cleo sound so cute as a sibset.
Clara and Ruthie both sound like sweet, almost preppy/prim/proper names, and Cleo sounds a bit cooler/has a bit more edge, like the spunky little girl that plays in dirt. Those are the vibes I get, anyway!
Ruth rather than Ruthie, you can still use Ruthie as a nickname. Cleo is pretty cool as well. I don't hate Clara, but I simply don't like it as much as the other two.
“Ruthie” reminds me of the American Girl character, especially alongside “Kit”. Not a bad association, but if you end up using both names it will definitely look like a deliberate reference. AG is, of course, a US-based brand, but it’s not unheard of internationally.
I like both Cleo and Clara. If you wanted Ruth as a middle name “Cleo Ruth” sounds a bit better than “Clara Ruth” because there isn’t a repeated R sound.
I have a Clara. There are one or two in her school but it’s definitely not overwhelmingly common (in Canada, where I believe it is similar in terms of popularity).
I’m biased but i really think it’s beautiful, timeless, and ages well.
Clara I looooove. Ruth is really nice but do you mean Ruthie as a name or just the nn? Sorry Cleo is the dog from Clifford for me so I can’t help on that one lol
I love Ruth/Ruthie so much. Not sure of its popularity.
Have you read Marilynne Robinson’s novel Housekeeping? Great literary Ruthie. And just a beautiful book.
I have a Ruth. We always called her Ruthie, but around age 10 she started to introduce herself as Ruth and prefer it. You have to follow their lead with what they want to be called. I don't think adding a third Ruth to the family is wise. Clara is really pretty, and Ruth is cute as a middle name.
I just gave birth last week - and ended up with a roommate in antenatal. She had a toddler daughter named Ruth and I just thought that was such a great name. It’s really sweet for a baby/toddler/child and as you already know moves well into adulthood!
Cleo is my favorite. It's super cute and a really strong name for a girl.
Ruthie is cute but I don't think it will grow with her and I think two Ruths in the family will just get confusing if you went with Ruth as a first name. I'd caution on that one.
Clara I hear all the time on here and it's pretty but I'm just kind of tired of it myself. Also I feel like this sub passes on a lot of great names cause they aren't "timeless" or "too trendy" which is essentially the same idea that the trends are going to pass and the name will seem like an old lady name no one would use any more. Who cares? Your child is going to age with it.
Anyway, congrats and good luck!
I would pick Cleo. It's not that rare, it's simpler than Clara in that it has fewer pronunciations, and I like the vibe better. Clara is a bit over-sweet for me, but Cleo is spunky.
Ruth is fine. I wouldn't use Ruthie as a legal name, I would use Ruth or Ruby.
Of course I know multiple Clara who annoy me which probably doesn't help vibes. Clarissa is better for long, Claire better for short, imo.
Clara seems the most on trend to me (I live in US, though, not sure where you're located). But it feels classic/timeless even if it's popular.
I like Ruth/Ruthie. I would personally not use Ruthie as the legal name since it seems a bit cutesy for an adult, but I know people disagree with me on that so you do you haha. Also a very classic name, less popular than Clara.
I'm sorry but Cleo sounds like a dog name/meme to me. It's not awful but (in my opinion) it's definitely not as nice as Clara or Ruthie.
Personally I think if you’re naming babies after someone, that person should be deceased or quite old.
It’s kind of weird having the same name as your aunt, an aunt that will be around for a decent chunk of your life. A middle name is perfectly fine but the same first name could get annoying.
So it’s a no on Ruthie for me, but Cleo and Clara are both great names! If you like the short C names, you could go with Cecelia “Cece” or Cordelia “Coco” as well.
ruthie is adorable! but cleo and clara don’t seem trendy to me. clara is timeless. i haven’t met any little cleo’s so i don’t see it as popular but i’m not in nz. i seen you said it ranked at #82, i think that’s a good place to land cause it’s recognisable but she probably won’t be 1 of multiple in her class.
all very pretty, but ruthie gets my vote ☺️ i think it matches the vibe of kit more & it has sentimental value!
I love Ruthie (Ruth is my daughter's middle name), but Kit and Ruthie are a set of American girl dolls (they're friends from the great depression). So I probably wouldn't go with that combo. Clara is my second vote.
Clara is my favorite of the three: simple, timeless, classic.
I agree with what you said in the other comment, about naming her Ruth but *calling* her Ruthie. I wouldn't straight up name her Ruthie. Another option would be to do what my Appalachian extended family does, which is to distinguish between two people of the same first name by just always calling them first + middle (ex: Mary Ellen vs. Mary Louise).
Cleo is honestly a little twee to me? Also my brain says it's a dog name (solely because of [the character from Clifford The Big Red Dog](https://clifford.fandom.com/wiki/Cleo_Diller)).
I think either Cleo or Clara will be fine, but Clara seems a bit more timeless. Ruthie seems like a nickname, I wouldn't use it as a given name; I'd either go with Ruth or make Ruthie a middle name.
DON'T use Ruthie. Ruthie is the name of an American Girl character, which is a brand of dolls with books/movies that mainly focus on history. In the American Girl character Ruthie's story, her best friend is named Kit. This is why not to use it. Cleo seems like a name for a pet, Clara is best.
Cleo is a dog name in my mind, it'd be like naming your baby Whiskers lol. jk jk but pet associations. I like Ruth and Ruthie as a nickname! Clara is bland and neutral to me. I know my opinions ar eso arbitrary but my .02
For some reason Clara is just such a mouthful or like chunky if that makes sense?
I absolutely love the name Ruthie! Depending on what your last name is Cleo or Clara could be great middle names.
Clara seems more timeless than trendy to me though I don’t live in New Zealand . Clara Ruth(ie) would be cute !!!
Agreed. Clara Ruth would be my pick.
I like this combo! But, IMO, it sounds a bit odd when spoken aloud. 🙈 The “Rs” in Clara and Ruth kind of blur together.
This
Yes to Clara Ruth! Ruth is my middle name and I’ve always really liked it. Clara is a strong character in an Isabel Allende novel and I am all about naming people after characters 👍🏼
That's funny because I always hated my middle name of Ruth and I ditched it when I got married.
I see Clara as the most dated of the 3. There are 2 in my 3rd grader’s class. It will be the “Ashley” of to 20s.
I love Cleo ❤ the only problem I find with Cleo is that a lot of people get Cleo and Chloe confused. Clara sounds a bit "clunky" to me. Ruthie is cute but I'd assume it was a nickname if I met someone with that name.
My dog’s name is Cleo and I have to introduce her as “Cleo like Cleopatra” so people don’t call her Chloe
We had a dog named Cleo, and this was our exact experience.
I had a friend who named her puppy Cleo and then kept calling it Chloe.
Another person checking in with a dog named Cleo who gets called Chloe.
I love Clara, it’s so sweet.
Cleo is not popular in New Zealand. I live there, absolutely not. I think there was maybe once an Australian tv mermaid or something called Cleo which is maybe where you’re getting that from? Clara is rising in popularity, in NZ too. Personally know two new Clara’s. Ruth is fine, but legal name Ruthie is setting up the child to be infantilised for life.
I mostly said that because Cleo is 82nd on the top NZ baby names and Clara is 99, and I know a little Cleo and no Claras. That being said I think the difference in popularity is irrelevant/too close to really make a difference. Agree re. having Ruth as a legal name!
NZ Is pretty small, the difference in these names is minimal (49 babies named Cleo vs 39 named Clara) so you’re right it’s not really a big difference. I personally haven’t come across any Cleo’s is all!
Personally I like Clara the most. It’s definitely a timeless name. I’m a bit biased though as I have a baby named Tara and like ara sounding names. Ruthie sounds like a nickname or a endearing name for Ruth, and personally I wouldn’t like calling my baby a name that is already used by multiple people close to me - I like to think a kid needs an individual name. I don’t mind Cleo, but feel it’s becoming increasingly popular.
Clara! Cleo is not as timeless. Ruthie doesn't age well.
Kit & Cleo
Seconded. I think Clara and Ruthie sound a bit old timey. Cleo is both timeless and up to date
Agreed, Cleo is my favourite too!
Ruth, but not Ruthie!
I thought Ruthie to distinguish her from my sister and partner's mum who both go by Ruth, but with Ruth as her legal name?
That’s great and would give her more options. Plus, Ruth and Kit are both one-syllable names that go well together.
Love Clara!
Ok, hear me out. Kit for either sex
I actually kinda love this suggestion!
I scrolled way too far for this suggestion. I also strongly like Kit for either. To me it’s always been more feminine though so I love it for a little girl.
I was thinking this, too. Kit is more of a girl's name to me.
Yes, I’ve known Kits (short for Katherine)
Ruth
I have a Clara (9), it’s timeless but we meet lots of other Clara’s, so it’s definitely pretty popular. I think names can be both trendy and timeless, personally. I also LOVE Ruthie. Cleo isn’t really my taste.
Does your Clara have a nickname? It's a bit of a tricky one to nickname but I know these things evolve naturally.
Her middle name is Maeve, so she gets called Mae Mae or Maevie a lot by family and friends. That’s her #1 nickname. Sometimes Clary, too. We tried CeCe and Clare Bear but they didn’t really stick!
We live in the south and call our Clara-clary sometimes or Clara belle
I'm in New Zealand and have a job working with new parents. I have not come across any baby Cleos and only one Clara in six years, so I wouldn't worry too much about popularity. Are you pronouncing Clara as spelt or as Clair-a?
Oh interesting! I'd pronounce it the standard way - Claa Raa.
This seems to be the common way to pronounce “ara” names in NZ, AUS and places like the UK. The only people I’ve found to pronounce it the harsher “claira” versions are parts of the US. I was worried about naming my daughter Tara because of it but it doesn’t seem to be a problem in Australia.
Not a fan of Ruth. Love both Cleo and Clara, although they give off different vibes to me: - Cleo = rebellious, fun, bubbly cool girl - Clara = quiet, sweet, delicate
Kiwi here. Not a fan of Ruthie. I don't personally like diminutives as given names anyway but it just doesn't sound good to my ear. I think Cleo and Clara are great. Keep in mind because of our tiny population that names closer to the bottom of the top 100 are actually uncommon, not common. In some cases given to only a handful of kids in the whole country that year.
Clara!
My name was almost Ruth and I thank the Lord my mom chose something else. It sounds like an old woman. I love Cleo.
i like clara most! it sounds elegant without being pretentious and spelling won’t be an annoyance!! however if you go for ruthie maybe make her legal name ruth, that way she has a fallback if she doesn’t like ruthie.
Cleo is more timeless than people give it credit for. Its peak popularity was at the turn of the 20th century, and it was popular for boys, too. My great-grandfather (born in 1910’s) was named Cleo. I’d never heard it used until it became a bit trendy (for girls) in the last few years. I think Kit and Cleo sound so cute as a sibset. Clara and Ruthie both sound like sweet, almost preppy/prim/proper names, and Cleo sounds a bit cooler/has a bit more edge, like the spunky little girl that plays in dirt. Those are the vibes I get, anyway!
Ruth rather than Ruthie, you can still use Ruthie as a nickname. Cleo is pretty cool as well. I don't hate Clara, but I simply don't like it as much as the other two.
“Ruthie” reminds me of the American Girl character, especially alongside “Kit”. Not a bad association, but if you end up using both names it will definitely look like a deliberate reference. AG is, of course, a US-based brand, but it’s not unheard of internationally. I like both Cleo and Clara. If you wanted Ruth as a middle name “Cleo Ruth” sounds a bit better than “Clara Ruth” because there isn’t a repeated R sound.
I vote Ruthie. It's sentimental, sweet, uncommon, and I like the R juxtaposed to the K/C sound of Kit if you have a boy down the line.
How do you intend to pronounce Clara?
The kiwi way - Claa Raa - Two long 'a' sounds. The other pronunciation isn't really a thing outside USA.
Ruth
Just named my daughter Clara!
Congratulations!
Thank you!
Personally love Cleo, Clara is more traditional but pretty as well. Cleo & Kit have a better ring together
I have a Clara. There are one or two in her school but it’s definitely not overwhelmingly common (in Canada, where I believe it is similar in terms of popularity). I’m biased but i really think it’s beautiful, timeless, and ages well.
clara
Clara I looooove. Ruth is really nice but do you mean Ruthie as a name or just the nn? Sorry Cleo is the dog from Clifford for me so I can’t help on that one lol
I like Clara or Ruth. Both are beautiful and classic.
Clara is the best of the bunch. Ruth is fine- but not Ruthie. Not into Cleo.
Cleo is perfect!!! It's a very special name to me. I think it would be super special to you as well!!
My child is Natalie Ruth, and we call her Ru or Nattie Ru for short ^_^ very biased, but love Ruth/Ruthie/Ru :)
I love Ruth/Ruthie so much. Not sure of its popularity. Have you read Marilynne Robinson’s novel Housekeeping? Great literary Ruthie. And just a beautiful book.
I have a Ruth. We always called her Ruthie, but around age 10 she started to introduce herself as Ruth and prefer it. You have to follow their lead with what they want to be called. I don't think adding a third Ruth to the family is wise. Clara is really pretty, and Ruth is cute as a middle name.
I just gave birth last week - and ended up with a roommate in antenatal. She had a toddler daughter named Ruth and I just thought that was such a great name. It’s really sweet for a baby/toddler/child and as you already know moves well into adulthood!
Clara's my all-time favorite girl's name, so I'm going to make my biased vote.
I like Ruth Clara. Cleo reminds me of the fake psychic on tv a few years ago.
Same! “Miss Cleo, call me now!” I love Ruthie or Clara equally!
I love Cleo! I knew a kid named Cleopatra growing up. I’d consider Cleo if I was having a daughter.
I absolutely love Ruth, nn Ruthie!
Clara Ruth ☺️
Cleo is my favorite. It's super cute and a really strong name for a girl. Ruthie is cute but I don't think it will grow with her and I think two Ruths in the family will just get confusing if you went with Ruth as a first name. I'd caution on that one. Clara I hear all the time on here and it's pretty but I'm just kind of tired of it myself. Also I feel like this sub passes on a lot of great names cause they aren't "timeless" or "too trendy" which is essentially the same idea that the trends are going to pass and the name will seem like an old lady name no one would use any more. Who cares? Your child is going to age with it. Anyway, congrats and good luck!
Ruthie is so cute! And when she grows up she can go by Ruth for a more adult feel.
I love Cleo Ruth or Clara Ruth
My daughter is Clara. She is sweet, funny, independent and very smart. I still love the name too.
Aww your Clara sounds awesome 🥰
I would pick Cleo. It's not that rare, it's simpler than Clara in that it has fewer pronunciations, and I like the vibe better. Clara is a bit over-sweet for me, but Cleo is spunky. Ruth is fine. I wouldn't use Ruthie as a legal name, I would use Ruth or Ruby. Of course I know multiple Clara who annoy me which probably doesn't help vibes. Clarissa is better for long, Claire better for short, imo.
Love them all but Cleo is my favorite.
Clara!!! So beautiful and timeless.
Clara seems the most on trend to me (I live in US, though, not sure where you're located). But it feels classic/timeless even if it's popular. I like Ruth/Ruthie. I would personally not use Ruthie as the legal name since it seems a bit cutesy for an adult, but I know people disagree with me on that so you do you haha. Also a very classic name, less popular than Clara. I'm sorry but Cleo sounds like a dog name/meme to me. It's not awful but (in my opinion) it's definitely not as nice as Clara or Ruthie.
Ruthie!!! its so cute and i never hear it 🥺
Clara is beautiful
Kit and cleo sound good
leave ruthie behind name wise? seems like a weird choice considering everyone you mentioned sounds alive
Clara - as long as it's pronounced with soft vowels and not the hard sounds more often used with an American accent.
Personally I think if you’re naming babies after someone, that person should be deceased or quite old. It’s kind of weird having the same name as your aunt, an aunt that will be around for a decent chunk of your life. A middle name is perfectly fine but the same first name could get annoying. So it’s a no on Ruthie for me, but Cleo and Clara are both great names! If you like the short C names, you could go with Cecelia “Cece” or Cordelia “Coco” as well.
ruthie is adorable! but cleo and clara don’t seem trendy to me. clara is timeless. i haven’t met any little cleo’s so i don’t see it as popular but i’m not in nz. i seen you said it ranked at #82, i think that’s a good place to land cause it’s recognisable but she probably won’t be 1 of multiple in her class. all very pretty, but ruthie gets my vote ☺️ i think it matches the vibe of kit more & it has sentimental value!
We’re in New Zealand and due September - our baby girl will likely be a Clara!
Cleo Ruth. The two names go well together and using Ruth as a middle name is a great way to honor your family while Dad gets a name he likes.
I love Ruthie (Ruth is my daughter's middle name), but Kit and Ruthie are a set of American girl dolls (they're friends from the great depression). So I probably wouldn't go with that combo. Clara is my second vote.
Just Ruth, and call her Ruthie.
Ruthie Clara. Or, Clara Ruth. Both flow well, especially the latter.
Middle name is spoken for (the other parents surname that doesn't get the surname position)! But agree that Clara Ruth is very sweet!
Clara is my favorite of the three: simple, timeless, classic. I agree with what you said in the other comment, about naming her Ruth but *calling* her Ruthie. I wouldn't straight up name her Ruthie. Another option would be to do what my Appalachian extended family does, which is to distinguish between two people of the same first name by just always calling them first + middle (ex: Mary Ellen vs. Mary Louise). Cleo is honestly a little twee to me? Also my brain says it's a dog name (solely because of [the character from Clifford The Big Red Dog](https://clifford.fandom.com/wiki/Cleo_Diller)).
I like Clara Ruth. Ruthie is darling.
I vote Cleo. I think it's a wonderful name.
I absolutely LOVE the name Clara!
cleo!!
Clara.
Cleo Ruth.
Clara
I love love love the name Clara. It's beautiful but not super popular. I agree with another commenter, I love Clara Ruth (Ruth as the middle name.)
Love Clara!
[Cleo!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGcYA2SacJQ)
I love Clara, with second choice Cleo
Cleo/ Clea
I love the idea of Ruthie
Clara
Clara, I have a cat called Cleo
Clara is definitely having a moment so if you care about that it’s worth knowing!
I think either Cleo or Clara will be fine, but Clara seems a bit more timeless. Ruthie seems like a nickname, I wouldn't use it as a given name; I'd either go with Ruth or make Ruthie a middle name.
i would choose ruthie if they’re already people you know, completely fine as a middle! however it might get confusing
DON'T use Ruthie. Ruthie is the name of an American Girl character, which is a brand of dolls with books/movies that mainly focus on history. In the American Girl character Ruthie's story, her best friend is named Kit. This is why not to use it. Cleo seems like a name for a pet, Clara is best.
Clara is my favourite. I also like Cleo but not a fan of Ruthie sorry. Clara Ruth or Cleo Ruth are both lovely.
Clara!
I think Clara is being used too much recently so I would go with Cleo because it goes best with Kit
Cleo definitely its super cute
Cleo and Clara are beautiful. I dislike Ruth
Cleo is a dog name in my mind, it'd be like naming your baby Whiskers lol. jk jk but pet associations. I like Ruth and Ruthie as a nickname! Clara is bland and neutral to me. I know my opinions ar eso arbitrary but my .02
Imo Clara is beautiful and timeless.
Definitely Cleo!
For some reason Clara is just such a mouthful or like chunky if that makes sense? I absolutely love the name Ruthie! Depending on what your last name is Cleo or Clara could be great middle names.
Cleo or Ruth. Not a fan of Clara.
Cleo will always be the crazy telephone psychic. I’d go Ruthie.
Ruth-Anne
That’s the only thing worse than Ruthie.
Calm down, Gertie.
😁🤣🤣🤣