"short form of Cleopatra"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Clea
Does Clea flow with your last name?
An elegant Greek name meaning glory and fame
Greek
French
English
Italian
Elegant
Classic
Literary
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
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The Story of Clea
Clea derives from the Greek word kleos, meaning glory or fame. It is a shortened form of names like Cleopatra (glory of the father) and Cleoniki (glory of victory). The name has been used in ancient Greece and was popularized in literature and art throughout European history.
Clea has maintained a quiet, literary following particularly in France and the UK, favored by parents who appreciate classical Greek roots with elegant simplicity. Lawrence Durrell gave the name prominence with his 1960 novel Clea, part of the Alexandria Quartet.
In ancient Greece, kleos represented the highest social ideal — the lasting fame earned through great deeds. The name Clea thus carries a legacy of aspiration and cultural achievement.
Historical Record
Clea first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 654 babies have been named Clea in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Clea is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #5,323 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Clea shares its root with Cleopatra, meaning the name literally means glory
- Lawrence Durrell used Clea as the title of the final novel in his famous Alexandria Quartet (1960)
- The Greek concept of kleos was central to Homeric epics — heroes fought to win kleos for eternity
Clea in Other Languages
Greek
Κλέα
French
Cléa
Italian
Clea
Spanish
Clea
Portuguese
Clea
Popularity Over Time
#5,323
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Clea
C
C
Clea Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Lawrence Durrell's 1960 novel Clea, the final book of the Alexandria Quartet
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Compare Clea with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,323
- Total SSA Count
- 24
- Cultural Origins
- Greek French English Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Clee
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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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Clea
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Clea is also used as a boy name, ranked #38731.
View Clea as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clea
What does the name Clea mean?
"short form of Cleopatra" (from Greek). Clea derives from the Greek word kleos, meaning glory or fame. It is a shortened form of names like Cleopatra (glory of the father) and Cleoniki (glory of victory). The name has been used in ancient Greece and was popularized in literature and art throughout European history.
What is the origin of the name Clea?
Clea has Greek, French, English, and Italian origins. In Greek, it means "short form of Cleopatra".
Is Clea a boy or girl name?
Clea is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5323. As a boy name, it is ranked #38731. Clea is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Clea?
Clea is currently ranked #5323 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clea?
Common nicknames for Clea include Clee.
What are good middle names for Clea?
Popular middle name pairings include Clea Rose, Clea Jane, Clea Marie, Clea Anne, Clea Belle, Clea Elise, and Clea Sofie.
What are good sibling names for Clea?
Names that pair well with Clea as siblings include Orion, Daphne, Phoebe, Felix, Iris, Leo, and Thea.
How many syllables does Clea have?
Clea has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Clea a common or rare name?
Clea is an uncommon name, ranked #5323 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Clea?
Are there other spellings for Clea?
About the Name Clea
Clea is a girl name with Greek, French, English, and Italian origins . The name means "short form of Cleopatra" in Greek .
Is Clea a boy or girl name? Clea is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,323 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #38,731. Clea is more commonly used as a girl name.
Clea is currently ranked #5,323 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Clea has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Clea include Clee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Clea include Clementine, Cleo, Cleopatra . 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