"bright, famous, clear"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Clarice
Pronunciation: [ kl-er-EES ]
Does Clarice flow with your last name?
A luminously bright name with a daring literary edge
English
Italian
French
American
Unique
Vintage
Bold
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Clarice
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"illustrious, shining"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated as a feminine name; may prompt questions about gender
The Story of Clarice
Clarice is a medieval French and Italian form of Clara, deriving from the Latin clarus meaning bright, clear, or famous. The name has been used since the Middle Ages, appearing in Italian literature and French courtly traditions. As a masculine given name, it represents a rare gender-crossing choice that subverts traditional expectations.
Clarice is overwhelmingly used as a feminine name, making its appearance as a masculine name extremely rare. The most famous bearer in recent culture is FBI trainee Clarice Starling from The Silence of the Lambs (1991), played by Jodie Foster, which firmly established the name in popular culture.
In Italian literary tradition, Clarice was used in the 14th century. The Clarice of Silence of the Lambs has given the name a complex association — a smart, determined woman facing darkness. For a boy, this name carries a powerful counterculture statement.
Fun Facts
- Clarice Starling, the FBI trainee in The Silence of the Lambs, is consistently ranked as one of cinema's greatest heroines
- Clarice da Medici was a noblewoman of the powerful Medici family in Renaissance Florence
Clarice in Other Languages
Latin
Claricia
French
Clarice
Italian
Clarice
Spanish
Clarice
Portuguese
Clarice
Famous People Named Clarice
C
Clarice Lispector
Writer
1920
Brazilian novelist and short story writer, one of Latin America's most significant 20th-century authors
C
Clarice Starling Fictional
Other
Fictional FBI agent from Thomas Harris's novels and the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs, played by Jodie Foster
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #10,768
- Total SSA Count
- 8
- Cultural Origins
- English Italian French American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Clar
Ricky
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Clarice
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Clarice is also used as a girl name, ranked #2809.
View Clarice as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clarice
What does the name Clarice mean?
"bright, famous, clear" (from Latin). "illustrious, shining" (from Old French). Clarice is a medieval French and Italian form of Clara, deriving from the Latin clarus meaning bright, clear, or famous. The name has been used since the Middle Ages, appearing in Italian literature and French courtly traditions. As a masculine given name, it represents a rare gender-crossing choice that subverts traditional expectations.
What is the origin of the name Clarice?
Clarice has Latin, Old French, English, Italian, French, and American origins. In Latin, it means "bright, famous, clear". In Old French, it means "illustrious, shining".
Is Clarice a boy or girl name?
Clarice is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #10768. As a girl name, it is ranked #2809. Clarice is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Clarice?
Clarice is pronounced kl-er-EES.
How popular is the name Clarice?
Clarice is currently ranked #10768 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clarice?
Common nicknames for Clarice include Clar and Ricky.
What are good middle names for Clarice?
Popular middle name pairings include Clarice James, Clarice Alexander, Clarice Lee, Clarice William, Clarice Thomas, and Clarice Edward.
What are good sibling names for Clarice?
Names that pair well with Clarice as siblings include Maurice, Florentine, Lucien, Rosalind, Felicity, and Aurelius.
How many syllables does Clarice have?
Clarice has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Clarice a common or rare name?
Clarice is an uncommon name, ranked #10768 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Clarice?
About the Name Clarice
Clarice is a boy name with English, Italian, French, and American origins . The name means "bright, famous, clear" in Latin .
Is Clarice a boy or girl name? Clarice is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #10,768 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,809. Clarice is more commonly used as a girl name.
Clarice is currently ranked #10,768 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Clarice has 2 syllables and is pronounced kl-er-EES, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Clarice include Clar and Ricky. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Clarice 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