"bright, clear, famous"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Clare
Pronunciation: [ kl-EHR ]
Does Clare flow with your last name?
A luminous classic with saintly heritage
English
Irish
French
Italian
Classic
Elegant
Vintage
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"luminous, brilliant"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
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The Story of Clare
Clare derives from the Latin 'clarus,' meaning bright, clear, or famous. It entered English via the Old French 'clair,' and was popularized across Europe by Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), the founder of the Poor Clares religious order and close companion of Saint Francis. The spelling 'Clare' (versus Claire) is the older, more traditional English form.
Clare peaked in popularity in Britain during the 1970s-80s, associated with its crisp, no-nonsense sound. The spelling has enjoyed a quieter resurgence as parents seek classic alternatives to the more common Claire.
Saint Clare of Assisi made this name beloved in Catholic countries worldwide. In Ireland, County Clare bears the name, making it a point of cultural pride for Irish families. The name also has strong literary associations in English tradition.
Historical Record
Clare first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 21,832 babies have been named Clare in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Clare is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #950 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Clare of Assisi was the first woman to write a religious rule for women in the Catholic Church
- County Clare in Ireland is one of the most scenic counties on the Wild Atlantic Way
- Chiara (the Italian form) is consistently one of Italy's top baby names
Clare in Other Languages
Irish
Clár
French
Claire
German
Klara
Italian
Chiara
Spanish
Clara
Popularity Over Time
#950
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Clare
C
Clare Balding
Other
1971
Beloved British sports broadcaster and television presenter
C
Clare of Assisi
Religious
1194
Italian Catholic saint, founder of the Poor Clares and first female author of a monastic rule
C
Clare Abshire Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Audrey Niffenegger's 2003 novel 'The Time Traveler's Wife'
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Compare Clare with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #950
- Total SSA Count
- 276
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish French Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Clary
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Clare
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Clare is also used as a boy name, ranked #27771.
View Clare as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clare
What does the name Clare mean?
"bright, clear, famous" (from Latin). "luminous, brilliant" (from Old French). Clare derives from the Latin 'clarus,' meaning bright, clear, or famous. It entered English via the Old French 'clair,' and was popularized across Europe by Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), the founder of the Poor Clares religious order and close companion of Saint Francis. The spelling 'Clare' (versus Claire) is the older, more traditional English form.
What is the origin of the name Clare?
Clare has Latin, Old French, English, Irish, French, and Italian origins. In Latin, it means "bright, clear, famous". In Old French, it means "luminous, brilliant".
Is Clare a boy or girl name?
Clare is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #950. As a boy name, it is ranked #27771. Clare is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Clare?
Clare is pronounced kl-EHR.
How popular is the name Clare?
Clare is currently ranked #950 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clare?
Common nicknames for Clare include Clary.
What are good middle names for Clare?
Popular middle name pairings include Clare Marie, Clare Elizabeth, Clare Anne, Clare Rose, Clare Josephine, Clare Frances, and Clare Louise.
What are good sibling names for Clare?
Names that pair well with Clare as siblings include Margaret, Eleanor, Thomas, Henry, Cecily, Patrick, and Bridget.
How many syllables does Clare have?
Clare has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Clare a common or rare name?
Clare is moderately common, ranked #950 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Clare?
About the Name Clare
Clare is a girl name with English, Irish, French, and Italian origins . The name means "bright, clear, famous" in Latin .
Is Clare a boy or girl name? Clare is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #950 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #27,771. Clare is more commonly used as a girl name.
Clare is currently ranked #950 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Clare has 1 syllable and is pronounced kl-EHR, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Clare include Clary. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Clare include Clara, Clarissa, Clarke, Clarice, Clarity . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis