Clare vs Mary

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Clare

Girl #950 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"bright, clear, famous"

Origin: Latin

Cultural Roots

English Irish French Italian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#950
Total SSA Count
276
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Clary

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Clare →

Mary

Girl #132 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"sea of bitterness"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Irish Christian Hebrew

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#132
Total SSA Count
2,196
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Molly, Polly, May

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mary →

Popularity Comparison

Clare Rank #950
Mary Rank #132

Mary is more popular, ranked #132 vs #950 for Clare.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Clare ___

  • Clare Marie
  • Clare Elizabeth
  • Clare Anne
  • Clare Rose
  • Clare Josephine
  • Clare Frances

Mary ___

  • Mary Grace
  • Mary Elizabeth
  • Mary Jane
  • Mary Ann
  • Mary Rose
  • Mary Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Clare

Margaret Eleanor Thomas Henry Cecily

If you choose Mary

Anne Elizabeth John James Margaret

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 Clare or Mary more popular?

Mary is more popular, ranked #132 compared to Clare at #950 in the United States.

What do Clare and Mary mean?

Clare means "bright, clear, famous" (Latin origin). Mary means "sea of bitterness" (Hebrew origin).

Are Clare and Mary boy or girl names?

Clare is primarily a girl name. Mary is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Clare ← Full profile: Mary Browse all baby names