"bright, clear, famous"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Clare
Pronunciation: [ kl-EHR ]
Girl Name
#950 Most Popular
Steady
1 Syllable
A luminous classic with saintly heritage
English
Irish
French
Italian
Classic
Elegant
Vintage
Literary
Meaning & Origin
"luminous, brilliant"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
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.
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
Clรกr
French
Claire
German
Klara
Italian
Chiara
Spanish
Clara
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'
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
Pairs Well With
Clare Marie
Clare Elizabeth
Clare Anne
Clare Rose
Clare Josephine
Clare Frances
Clare Louise
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Clare is also used as a boy name, ranked #27771.
View Clare as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.