Given name & surname · also Gaelic
Clara
Clara has Latin roots and a meaning associated with fame and brightness, with use across several European languages.
Meaning & origin
What it means
The name is connected with the Latin idea of being famous, and is also interpreted through brightness.
Where it comes from
Clara is a post-classical Latin name used in English, Italian, and German.
How it developed
Clara uses the feminine form of Latin clarus. In English, it represents a return to the Latin form alongside the established spelling Clare.
The story
Clara’s history includes English, Italian, and German use. In the Scottish Highlands, it also served as a translation equivalent of Sorcha.
Clara through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 301,540
- 1,016 boys · 300,524 girls
- Most popular year
- 1918
- 5,800 babies
- 2025
- 3,601
- #63 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −1%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 3,601 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 63 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 0.5% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 5,778 in 1918. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (303). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 109,248 as a first name in 2020; 1,445 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Clara’s family of names
In Spanish usage, Clara has a diminutive in Clarita. In English usage, Clara shares an earlier linguistic root with Claire. In English usage, Clara has a related form in Clare.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Clara has relatives in 19 languages. Lines run from its Latin roots to each of them.
23 related names in 19 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 29
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
- Clairevariant · French, English
- Clarevariant · English, French
- Chiaravariant · Italian
- Klaravariant · Polish, Swedish
- Claricevariant
- Clarabellevariant
- Clairvariant
- Clarisavariant · Spanish
Show 21 moreShow fewer
- Claribelvariant · English
- Claritavariant · Spanish
- Clarralikely variant
- Clorindavariant
- Clarettavariant
- Claribellevariant
- Clarettevariant
- Clarethavariant
- Claritzavariant
- Clarinevariant
- Clarindavariant
- Saint Clarevariant
- Klarvariant · English
- Chlorindavariant
- Claretavariant
- Clarindevariant
- Claralvariant
- Clarahellevariant
- Clarryvariant
- Clarrievariant
- Clärevariant · German
Spellings & scripts 3
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 17
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 1
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Clara
- Clara ZetkinCommunist activist, and advocate for women's rights (1857–1933)
- Clara SchumannGerman musician and composer (1819–1896)
- Clara BowAmerican actress (1905–1965)
- Patti PageAmerican country-pop singer (1927–2013)
- Clara BartonAmerican Civil War nurse (1821–1912)
- Clara ImmerwahrGerman chemist (1870-1915)
- Clara CampoamorSpanish politician, feminist (1888-1972)
- Clara RockmoreRussian-American musician (1911-1998)
- Clara HaskilRomanian-Swiss classical pianist (1895-1960)
Characters named Clara: Clara Oswald (Doctor Who).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Clara, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Augusta
“venerable; majestic” · “one who is venerable; majestic”
5% boys · 95% girls
Alta
“to be elevated”
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Ora
“one who prays to God”
5% boys · 95% girls
Alva
“one who has a fair complexion” · “a bright man”
24% boys · 76% girls
Cecelia
“blind”
>99% girls
Marcella
“dedicated to Mars, the god of war” · “the little warrior”
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Aline
“one who pays homage to Ireland”
>99% girls
Leta
“one who is glad; joyful; loved by all”
>99% girls