Clara vs Emma

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Clara

Girl #78 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"famous, illustrious"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English German Italian Spanish Portuguese

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#78
Total SSA Count
3,060
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Clare, Clar

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Clara →

Emma

Girl #2 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strength"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English German French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2
Total SSA Count
13,485
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Em, Emmy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Emma →

Popularity Comparison

Clara Rank #78
Emma Rank #2

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #78 for Clara.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Clara ___

  • Clara June
  • Clara Louise
  • Clara Mae
  • Clara Josephine
  • Clara Elise

Emma ___

  • Emma Rose
  • Emma Grace
  • Emma Jane
  • Emma Louise
  • Emma Kate
  • Emma Marie

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Clara

Theodore Violet Henry Alice Felix

If you choose Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clara or Emma more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Clara at #78 in the United States.

What do Clara and Emma mean?

Clara means "famous, illustrious" (Latin origin). Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin).

Are Clara and Emma boy or girl names?

Clara is primarily a girl name. Emma is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Clara ← Full profile: Emma Browse all baby names