Clara
Clara Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
KLAIR-ah
Meaning of Clara: Clara derives from the Latin clara, the feminine form of the adjective clarus meaning bright, clear, or famous. Roman society used Clarus as a cognomen, and early Christian writers then feminized the form as a Christian virtue name, as detailed on etymology records.
Saint Clare of Assisi, born Chiara Offreduccio in 1194, founded the Order of Poor Clares in 1212 alongside Francis of Assisi. Her Umbrian Italian form Chiara spread across medieval Catholic Europe, with the Latin and Spanish Clara entering northern and Germanic territories through monastic foundations and pilgrim routes.
Clara Schumann, the 19th-century German pianist and composer born in 1819, gave the name classical music prestige. American nurse Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881 after Civil War field service, and Swedish-American film star Clara Bow anchored silent-era Hollywood through her flapper roles of the 1920s.
What Does Clara Mean? Origin & Etymology
Per US Social Security Administration records, Clara held a top 50 position for US girls from 1880 through 1913, peaking at rank 14 in 1885 with 3,490 births. The name faded from the top 200 by 1960 before climbing back into the top 100 in 2018.
As of 2024, Clara holds rank 78 for US girls with 3,060 births, marking a complete return to its 1885 peak ranking. The name ranks in the top 30 across Germany, France, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, and Spain, with Italian Chiara holding strong placement across Italian-American communities.
Variants across languages include Italian Chiara, French Claire and Clarisse, Spanish Clara, Portuguese Clara, German Klara, Polish Klara, Russian Klara, Hungarian Klara, plus the diminutives Clarita and Claretta. Notably, Claire holds rank 64 in US records for 2024, placing the broader Clara-Claire family firmly inside the top 80.
How Popular Is Clara?
Numerology & Symbolism of Clara
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Clara – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Clara
What does Clara mean?
Clara means clear, bright, or famous, from Latin clarus. Saint Clare of Assisi—known as Clara in Italian and German—is the patron saint of television, giving the name unexpected modern institutional resonance.
What is the origin of Clara?
Clara derives from Latin clarus. Saint Clare of Assisi established it in medieval Catholic tradition. The Nutcracker’s Clara and silent film star Clara Bow gave it ongoing cultural associations. A 2010s revival drove US resurgence.
How popular is Clara in the US?
Clara ranks 78 for girls in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It entered the top 50 in 2015. Clara ranks in the top 20 in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavia.
What are variants of Clara?
Variants include Claire (French), Clare (English), Chiara (Italian), Klara (German/Czech), and Klaára (Hungarian). All share the Latin clarus (clear, bright) root.
Is Clara more popular for girls or boys?
Clara is given almost exclusively to girls. It ranks 78 for girls in the US in 2024 and does not appear in the top 1000 boys’ names.
Clara – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Clare | English |
| Claire | French |
| Klara | German/Czech/Scandinavian |
| Chiara | Italian |
| Clarice | Italian/English |