"bright, clear, famous"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Clarisse
Pronunciation: [ kl-AR-ihs ]
Girl Name
#5,094 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A luminous French classic carrying literary elegance
French
Italian
Portuguese
Brazilian
Elegant
Literary
Sophisticated
Classic
Vintage
Meaning & Origin
"luminous, brilliant"
Origin: Latin
Language: French
Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs, which features intense thriller/horror themes — though many see this as positive given the character's strength and intelligence
The Story of Clarisse
Clarisse is the French and Portuguese form of Clarice, itself derived from the Latin 'Clara' meaning bright, clear, or famous. The name has roots in the Latin 'clarus,' from which we also get 'clarity' and 'declare.' In the Middle Ages, Clara was popularized by St. Clare of Assisi, friend of St. Francis, and her name spread across Europe in various elegant forms, including the French Clarisse.
Clarisse has remained a classic name in France, Belgium, and Brazil, maintaining steady use without the boom-and-bust cycles of trendier names. In Brazil, the acclaimed author Clarice Lispector (1920-1977) gave the name-cluster a strong literary association. In the English-speaking world, the similar Clarice gained notoriety through Clarice Starling in 'The Silence of the Lambs.'
In Brazilian culture, the name Clarice/Clarisse carries particular literary prestige due to Clarice Lispector, widely considered one of the most important Jewish Latin American writers of the 20th century. In France, Clarisse represents an elegant classical French feminine name with centuries of aristocratic use.
Fun Facts
- Clarice Lispector (1920-1977), considered by some critics the greatest woman writer since Virginia Woolf, shares this name family
- Clarisse is the name of the neighbor girl in Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel 'Fahrenheit 451' who inspires the protagonist to question society
- The name Clara/Clarice has never fallen out of the top 500 in France since records began
Clarisse in Other Languages
Latin
Clarissa
French
Clarisse
Italian
Clarissa
Spanish
Clarisa
Portuguese
Clarice
Popularity Over Time
#5,094
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1955
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Clarisse
C
Clarice Lispector
Writer
1920
Brazilian novelist and short story writer of Ukrainian Jewish origin, considered one of the most important Latin America...
Brazilian novelist and short story writer of Ukrainian Jewish origin, considered one of the most important Latin American writers of the 20th century
C
Clarisse Agius Fictional
Other
Fictional character in the 2001 animated film The Princess Diaries, as Princess Clarisse Renaldi, grandmother to Mia The...
Fictional character in the 2001 animated film The Princess Diaries, as Princess Clarisse Renaldi, grandmother to Mia Thermopolis
C
Clarisse McClellan Fictional
Other
Fictional free-spirited teenage neighbor who awakens Guy Montag's curiosity in Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel Fahrenheit...
Fictional free-spirited teenage neighbor who awakens Guy Montag's curiosity in Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,094
- Total SSA Count
- 26
- Cultural Origins
- French Italian Portuguese Brazilian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Clar
Risse
Clari
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Italian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (French)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clarisse
What does the name Clarisse mean?
"bright, clear, famous" (from Latin). "luminous, brilliant" (from Latin). Clarisse is the French and Portuguese form of Clarice, itself derived from the Latin 'Clara' meaning bright, clear, or famous. The name has roots in the Latin 'clarus,' from which we also get 'clarity' and 'declare.' In the Middle Ages, Clara was popularized by St. Clare of Assisi, friend of St. Francis, and her name spread across Europe in various elegant forms, including the French Clarisse.
What is the origin of the name Clarisse?
Clarisse has Latin, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Brazilian origins. In Latin, it means "bright, clear, famous". In Latin, it means "luminous, brilliant".
Is Clarisse a boy or girl name?
Clarisse is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Clarisse?
Clarisse is pronounced kl-AR-ihs.
How popular is the name Clarisse?
Clarisse is currently ranked #5094 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clarisse?
Common nicknames for Clarisse include Clar, Risse, and Clari.
What are good middle names for Clarisse?
Popular middle name pairings include Clarisse Marie, Clarisse Sophie, Clarisse Anne, Clarisse Louise, Clarisse Elise, Clarisse Renee, and Clarisse Yvette.
What are good sibling names for Clarisse?
Names that pair well with Clarisse as siblings include Berenice, Celestine, Amelie, Lucien, Raphael, Isabeau, and Floriane.
How many syllables does Clarisse have?
Clarisse has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Clarisse a common or rare name?
Clarisse is an uncommon name, ranked #5094 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Clarisse
Clarisse is a girl name with French, Italian, Portuguese, and Brazilian origins . The name means "bright, clear, famous" in Latin .
Clarisse is currently ranked #5,094 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Clarisse has 2 syllables and is pronounced kl-AR-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Clarisse include Clar, Risse, and Clari. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Clarisse include Clara, Clare, Clarissa, Clarke, Clarice . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.