[Opinions] Re: Clarissa
in reply to a message by Lily
I work with a Clarissa who is probably in her mid- to late-twenties. I knew several when I was growing up, too, who would all be in their thirties now.
I don't get a super frilly/girly vibe from Clarissa, the way I do from names like Annabella and Liliana. If anything, Clarissa feels dated and kind of like a "mom" name. It's probably my age; I grew up at a time when that "issa" sound was really common. I couldn't begin to count the number of Melissas I knew when I was growing up. There were also lots of Marissas, a couple Larissas and Clarissas, and at least one Anissa and Carissa. Just a few years behind us was an army of Alyssas, Alissas, Elissas, and the like. And, of course, I remember "Clarissa Explains it All," played by a Melissa who is now a mom, her frilly/girlish self long outgrown. I think of "issa" as an older, unfashionable sound while "ella" and "anna/ana" are very young and today. Hmmm. I haven't thought about this before.
My favorite from your combos is the wintery Holly Clarissa, but I like Phoebe Clarissa, too. Clarissa Belle is too close to "clear as a bell" for me.
I don't get a super frilly/girly vibe from Clarissa, the way I do from names like Annabella and Liliana. If anything, Clarissa feels dated and kind of like a "mom" name. It's probably my age; I grew up at a time when that "issa" sound was really common. I couldn't begin to count the number of Melissas I knew when I was growing up. There were also lots of Marissas, a couple Larissas and Clarissas, and at least one Anissa and Carissa. Just a few years behind us was an army of Alyssas, Alissas, Elissas, and the like. And, of course, I remember "Clarissa Explains it All," played by a Melissa who is now a mom, her frilly/girlish self long outgrown. I think of "issa" as an older, unfashionable sound while "ella" and "anna/ana" are very young and today. Hmmm. I haven't thought about this before.
My favorite from your combos is the wintery Holly Clarissa, but I like Phoebe Clarissa, too. Clarissa Belle is too close to "clear as a bell" for me.