"bright, clear, famous"
Origin: Latin (clarus)
Language: Latin
Clair
Pronunciation: [ kl-EHR ]
Does Clair flow with your last name?
French luminosity distilled into a single syllable
French
English
American
Classic
Elegant
Minimalist
Sophisticated
Vintage
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Clair
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"luminous, shining"
Origin: French
Language: French
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The Story of Clair
Clair is the French masculine form of Claire, both deriving from the Latin clarus meaning clear, bright, or famous. Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), the founder of the Order of Poor Ladies and a close companion of Saint Francis, spread the name throughout medieval Europe. The spelling Clair without the final e is the older variant and the masculine form in French.
Clair peaked in American usage in the early 20th century and has since been largely supplanted by the Claire spelling in the US. However, its simplicity and clarity keep it relevant. Clair Huxtable from The Cosby Show made the name particularly familiar to American audiences in the 1980s.
Saint Clare of Assisi gave this name its spiritual prestige, and it has been used across both Catholic and Protestant communities for centuries. The French Clair spelling carries Continental elegance.
Historical Record
Clair first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,895 babies have been named Clair in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Clair is past its peak , currently ranked #4,659 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show was consistently voted one of the greatest TV mothers
- Saint Clare of Assisi was the first woman to write her own rule of life for a religious order
- The de Lune in Debussy's famous Clair de Lune means moonlight in French
Clair in Other Languages
Latin
Clarus/Clara
French
Clair (m) / Claire (f)
German
Klar/Klara
Italian
Chiaro/Chiara
Spanish
Claro/Clara
Popularity Over Time
#4,659
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Clair
S
Saint Clare of Assisi
Religious
1194
Italian saint, founder of the Order of Poor Ladies and close companion of Saint Francis
C
Clair Huxtable Fictional
Other
Fictional matriarch of The Cosby Show (1984-1992), portrayed by Phylicia Rashad, a beloved TV character
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,659
- Total SSA Count
- 30
- Cultural Origins
- French English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Cla
Cly
Clie
Clakins
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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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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Distinctive pick, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Clair
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Clair is also used as a boy name, ranked #28546.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clair
What does the name Clair mean?
"bright, clear, famous" (from Latin (clarus)). "luminous, shining" (from French). Clair is the French masculine form of Claire, both deriving from the Latin clarus meaning clear, bright, or famous. Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), the founder of the Order of Poor Ladies and a close companion of Saint Francis, spread the name throughout medieval Europe. The spelling Clair without the final e is the older variant and the masculine form in French.
What is the origin of the name Clair?
Clair has Latin (clarus), French, English, and American origins. In Latin (clarus), it means "bright, clear, famous". In French, it means "luminous, shining".
Is Clair a boy or girl name?
Clair is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4659. As a boy name, it is ranked #28546. Clair is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Clair?
Clair is pronounced kl-EHR.
How popular is the name Clair?
Clair is currently ranked #4659 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clair?
Common nicknames for Clair include Cla, Cly, Clie, and Clakins.
What are good middle names for Clair?
Popular middle name pairings include Clair Marie, Clair Louise, Clair Anne, Clair Rose, Clair Elizabeth, Clair Jane, and Clair Margaret.
What are good sibling names for Clair?
Names that pair well with Clair as siblings include Drew, Grace, Blanche, Hugh, Elise, Reid, and Brooke.
How many syllables does Clair have?
Clair has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Clair a common or rare name?
Clair is an uncommon name, ranked #4659 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Clair?
About the Name Clair
Clair is a girl name with French, English, and American origins . The name means "bright, clear, famous" in Latin (clarus) .
Is Clair a boy or girl name? Clair is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,659 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #28,546. Clair is more commonly used as a girl name.
Clair is currently ranked #4,659 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Clair has 1 syllable and is pronounced kl-EHR, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Clair include Cla, Cly, Clie, and Clakins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Clair include Claire, Claira . 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