"famous, illustrious"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
Clara
Pronunciation: [ kl-AR-uh ]
Girl Name
#78 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
A luminous vintage name meaning bright and clear
English
German
Italian
Spanish
Portuguese
Classic
Elegant
Vintage
Gentle
Literary
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Clara
Clara descends from the Latin word "clarus" meaning bright, clear, or famous. Saint Clare of Assisi, the 13th-century founder of the Order of Poor Ladies, gave the name its enduring spiritual resonance. The name spread across Europe through veneration of the saint, taking forms like Chiara in Italian, Claire in French, and Klara in German and Scandinavian languages.
Clara was a top-20 name in America from 1880-1920, faded to #600s by 1990, then staged a remarkable comeback — reaching the top 100 by 2015. The vintage name revival and characters like Clara Oswald in Doctor Who fueled its return.
In Catholic tradition, Saint Clare is the patron saint of television and eye diseases. In German culture, Clara is forever linked to The Nutcracker, where Clara (sometimes Marie) is the young heroine who enters the Land of Sweets.
Fun Facts
- Saint Clare of Assisi reportedly watched a Christmas mass projected on her cell wall — making her the patron saint of television 700 years before it was invented
- Clara Schumann was one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic era and appeared on the German 100-mark banknote
Clara in Other Languages
French
Claire
German
Klara
Italian
Chiara
Spanish
Clara
Japanese
クララ
Portuguese
Clara
Famous People Named Clara
C
Clara Barton
Other
1821
Founder of the American Red Cross
C
Clara Schumann
Musician
1819
German pianist and composer, one of the most distinguished musicians of the Romantic era
C
Clara Oswald Fictional
Other
Companion of the Eleventh and Twelfth Doctors in Doctor Who
C
Clara Stahlbaum Fictional
Other
The young heroine of The Nutcracker ballet
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #78
- Total SSA Count
- 3,060
- Cultural Origins
- English German Italian Spanish Portuguese
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Clare
Clar
Pairs Well With
Clara June
Clara Louise
Clara Mae
Clara Josephine
Clara Elise
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Clara is also used as a boy name, ranked #27785.
View Clara as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clara
What does the name Clara mean?
"famous, illustrious" (from Latin). Clara descends from the Latin word "clarus" meaning bright, clear, or famous. Saint Clare of Assisi, the 13th-century founder of the Order of Poor Ladies, gave the name its enduring spiritual resonance. The name spread across Europe through veneration of the saint, taking forms like Chiara in Italian, Claire in French, and Klara in German and Scandinavian languages.
What is the origin of the name Clara?
Clara has Latin, English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese origins. In Latin, it means "famous, illustrious".
Is Clara a boy or girl name?
Clara is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #78. As a boy name, it is ranked #27785. Clara is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Clara?
Clara is pronounced kl-AR-uh.
How popular is the name Clara?
Clara is currently ranked #78 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clara?
Common nicknames for Clara include Clare and Clar.
What are good middle names for Clara?
Popular middle name pairings include Clara June, Clara Louise, Clara Mae, Clara Josephine, and Clara Elise.
What are good sibling names for Clara?
Names that pair well with Clara as siblings include Theodore, Violet, Henry, Alice, Felix, and Margot.
How many syllables does Clara have?
Clara has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Clara a common or rare name?
Clara is a very popular name, ranked #78 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Clara
Clara is a girl name with English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese origins . The name means "famous, illustrious" in Latin .
Is Clara a boy or girl name? Clara is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #78 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #27,785. Clara is more commonly used as a girl name.
Clara is currently ranked #78 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Clara has 2 syllables and is pronounced kl-AR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Clara include Clare and Clar. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Clara include Clare, Clarissa, Clarke, Clarice, Clarity . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.