Clara
Clara: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈklɑːɹə/ · /ˈklɛəɹə/
Meaning and origin of Clara
Root meaning: “bright, shining, clear”
- A female given name from Latin.
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin clāra, feminine of clārus (“bright, shining, clear”), a post-classical name made famous by the 13th century Saint Clara (Clare) of Assisi. Doublet of Clare and Claire.
How popular is Clara?
Since 1880, 300,524 girls and 1,016 boys in the U.S. have been named Clara (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #7 in 1885. Its highest rank for boys was #475 in 1886. In 2025 it ranked #63 for girls, with 3,601 babies given the name.
Names similar to Clara
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin girl names
Sibling name ideas for Clara
Sister and brother names that share Clara's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Clara FAQ
What does the name Clara mean?
Clara traces back to a root meaning "bright, shining, clear". A female given name from Latin. Learned borrowing from Latin clāra, feminine of clārus (“bright, shining, clear”), a post-classical name made famous by the 13th century Saint Clara (Clare) of Assisi. Doublet of Clare and Claire.
What is the origin of the name Clara?
Clara is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Clara?
Since 1880, 300,524 girls and 1,016 boys in the U.S. have been named Clara (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #7 in 1885. Its highest rank for boys was #475 in 1886. In 2025 it ranked #63 for girls, with 3,601 babies given the name.
Is Clara a boy or girl name?
Clara is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 300,524 girls and 1,016 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.