The nameClara
Clara is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "bright, famous". A Victorian favourite, it has come back strongly in Europe.
- Girl's name
- Latin
- Feast day
Meaning
Clara comes from the Latin clarus, "bright, clear, famous".
Origin
Latin. Saint Clare of Assisi, Chiara in Italian, founded the Poor Clares in the 13th century.
History
Clara was a top 10 name in the United States in the 1880s. Clara Schumann, pianist and composer, and Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, are famous bearers. It is very popular again in Germany, Spain and France.
Clara in other languages
Clara is spelled the same in English, German, Spanish and Portuguese. It is Chiara in Italian, Klara in Polish and the Nordic countries, and Claire in French.
Did you know?
- Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881.
- In 1910 Clara Zetkin proposed an international women's day.
- Clara Schumann gave her first concert at the age of 9 and became one of the greatest pianists of her century.
Famous people named Clara
- Clara Schumann, pianist and composer
- Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross
- Clara Oswald, Doctor Who companion
- Clara Bow, actress
Popularity of the name Clara
Clara in the United States
Clara was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 48,392 births over the decade, 16% of all recorded babies named Clara. Half of all babies named Clara in the United States were born before 1927, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 2,732 births a year.
Clara in the United Kingdom
Clara was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 5,436 births over the decade, 47% of all recorded babies named Clara. Half of all babies named Clara in the United Kingdom were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 641 births a year.
Clara in Ireland
Clara in France
Clara in Belgium
Clara in Switzerland
Clara in Austria
Clara in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Clara
Names from the same generation as Clara, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Clara? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Clara with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Clara side by side with the name of your choice.
Clara in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Clara mean?
Clara comes from the Latin clarus, "bright, clear, famous".
What is the origin of the name Clara?
Latin. Saint Clare of Assisi, Chiara in Italian, founded the Poor Clares in the 13th century.
Is Clara a girl's or a boy's name?
Clara is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Clara?
In 2024, Clara was the 78th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 3,060 births.
What are the variants of the name Clara?
Variants and related names of Clara include Claire and Klara.
What are good sibling names for Clara?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Vivian, Lucy, Liliana and Cecilia for a sister, Felix, Sebastian, Roman and Nolan for a brother.
Who are famous people named Clara?
Clara Schumann, pianist and composer; Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross; Clara Oswald, Doctor Who companion; Clara Bow, actress.