Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Clara
GirlLatin· “bright, clear”
- Meaning
- bright, clear
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- KLEHR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #63
- US babies 2025
- 3,601
- Best rank
- #7 (1885)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Clara
Clara is a Latin name that means “bright, clear”.
Clara comes from the Latin clarus, which means "bright," "clear" and also "famous." Saint Clare of Assisi, a follower of Saint Francis who founded the order known as the Poor Clares, was called Clara in Latin and Italian, and her fame kept the name alive in Catholic Europe. In the nineteenth century Clara was a favorite in English and German, borne by the pianist Clara Schumann and by Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross. Clara has returned as a gentle, polished classic, and in many languages it is pronounced KLAH-ra. Clare and Claire are its close cousins.
Popularity over time
Clara has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #7 in 1885, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 5,778 were named Clara. In 2025, 3,601 babies were named Clara, and it ranked #63 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #44 in 1920, #178 in 1950, #511 in 1980, #353 in 2000, #167 in 2010, and #63 in 2025. Of the 300,524 US girls named Clara since records began, 16% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 44,346 babies. Since 2010, 43,934 more have been named Clara.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Agnes, Gertrude, Elsie, Bertha, and Esther.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Clara ranked highest in Nebraska, North Dakota, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | #13 | 54 |
| North Dakota | #21 | 22 |
| Maine | #28 | 22 |
| South Dakota | #28 | 19 |
| Minnesota | #29 | 101 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Clara is usually pronounced KLEHR-uh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Clara
A few middle names that flow with Clara: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Clara
Similar names
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Frances Girl
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Lists that include Clara
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Clara mean?
Clara is a Latin name that means “bright, clear”.
What is the origin of the name Clara?
Clara has Latin roots. Clara comes from the Latin clarus, which means "bright," "clear" and also "famous." Saint Clare of Assisi, a follower of Saint Francis who founded the order known as the Poor Clares, was called Clara in Latin and Italian, and her fame kept the name alive in Catholic Europe.
Is Clara a popular name?
Yes. Clara ranked #63 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Clara a boy or girl name?
Clara is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Clara?
Clara is usually pronounced KLEHR-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings