The nameClair

Clair is a bright, simple name. In the United States it was a boy's name before it was a girl's.

Meaning

Clair comes from the Latin clarus, "clear, bright, famous".

Origin

French, from Latin.

History

In the United States Clair reached 288th place for boys in 1913 and 845th for girls in 1899.

Popularity of the name Clair

Clair in the United States

1923peak year (405 births)
16,322babies named Clair in the United States since 1880
0203405 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Clair was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 3,539 births over the decade, 22% of all recorded babies named Clair. Its rise began around 1896, and it peaked in 1923. Half of all babies named Clair in the United States were born before 1933, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 28 births a year on average, against 37 in the five years before.

Clair in France

1928peak year (25 births)
940babies named Clair in France since 1900
01325 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Clair was most popular in France in the 1920s, with 180 births over the decade, 19% of all recorded babies named Clair. Half of all babies named Clair in France were born before 1927, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name.

Sibling names for Clair

Names from the same generation as Clair, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Clair? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Clair with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Clair side by side with the name of your choice.

Clair in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Clair mean?

Clair comes from the Latin clarus, "clear, bright, famous".

What is the origin of the name Clair?

French, from Latin.

Is Clair a girl's or a boy's name?

Clair is a unisex name, given to both girls and boys. In the United States, 26% of the babies named Clair are girls.

What are good sibling names for Clair?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Aline, Cécile, Jeanne and Emmanuelle for a sister, Maxime, Mathieu, Jacques and Alexandre for a brother.