"clear, bright, famous"
Origin: Latin clarus
Language: Latin
Clare
Pronunciation: [ kl-EHR ]
Does Clare flow with your last name?
A luminous Latin name meaning clear and famous
English
Irish
Italian
American
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Clare
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"from the flat plain (geographic Irish sense)"
Origin: Irish/Celtic
Language: Irish
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Things to Know About This Name
- Clare is strongly associated with girls; using it for a boy may cause persistent confusion and require frequent correction
The Story of Clare
Clare derives from the Latin clarus, meaning clear, bright, or famous. It is the anglicized form of Clara and Claire, and is also the name of County Clare in western Ireland (from the River Clár). The name was made famous by Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), a close follower of Saint Francis who founded the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares). Using Clare for a boy is a deliberate gender-bending choice.
Clare (and its variants Claire and Clara) has been a consistently popular girl's name for centuries. For boys, it remains exceedingly rare in modern times, though it was occasionally used in medieval Ireland and England when Clare was first and foremost a county and surname. Parents who choose Clare for a boy are making a deliberately unconventional statement.
County Clare is one of Ireland's most beloved regions, home to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Saint Clare of Assisi is the patron saint of television (a reference to her vision of her church's Christmas Mass while bedridden). Clare College, Cambridge, founded in 1326, is one of the oldest colleges at Cambridge University.
Historical Record
Clare first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 377 babies have been named Clare in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Clare is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #27,771 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) is the patron saint of television, based on a story of her having a vision of Mass she couldn't attend
- Clare College at Cambridge University is one of the oldest colleges in the world, founded in 1326
- County Clare in Ireland gets its name from the River Clár, meaning flat place or plank bridge
Clare in Other Languages
Irish
Clár
Latin
Clarus
French
Claire
Italian
Chiara/Chiaro
Spanish
Clara/Claro
Popularity Over Time
#27,771
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Clare with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #27,771
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish Italian 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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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, 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
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Clare
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Clare is also used as a girl name, ranked #950.
View Clare as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Germanic origin
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Old English origin
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Levander
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Latin lavendula from lavare origin
"lavender plant, one who washes"
#27,894 in US
Terrian
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Latin terra origin
"earthly"
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Eson
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Greek origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clare
What does the name Clare mean?
"clear, bright, famous" (from Latin clarus). "from the flat plain (geographic Irish sense)" (from Irish/Celtic). Clare derives from the Latin clarus, meaning clear, bright, or famous. It is the anglicized form of Clara and Claire, and is also the name of County Clare in western Ireland (from the River Clár). The name was made famous by Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), a close follower of Saint Francis who founded the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares). Using Clare for a boy is a deliberate gender-bending choice.
What is the origin of the name Clare?
Clare has Latin clarus, Irish/Celtic, English, Irish, Italian, and American origins. In Latin clarus, it means "clear, bright, famous". In Irish/Celtic, it means "from the flat plain (geographic Irish sense)".
Is Clare a boy or girl name?
Clare is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #27771. As a girl name, it is ranked #950. 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 #27771 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clare?
Common nicknames for Clare include Cla, Cly, Clie, and Clakins.
What are good middle names for Clare?
Popular middle name pairings include Clare James, Clare Joseph, Clare Patrick, Clare Edmund, Clare John, and Clare Leo.
What are good sibling names for Clare?
Names that pair well with Clare as siblings include Phoebe, Julian, Anselm, Sylvia, Benedict, and Cecily.
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 an uncommon name, ranked #27771 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Clare?
About the Name Clare
Clare is a boy name with English, Irish, Italian, and American origins . The name means "clear, bright, famous" in Latin clarus .
Is Clare a boy or girl name? Clare is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #27,771 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #950. Clare is more commonly used as a girl name.
Clare is currently ranked #27,771 in popularity for boy 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 Cla, Cly, Clie, and Clakins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Clare include Clark, Clarence, Clarke . 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