Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Clare
GirlLatin, English· “bright, clear”
- Meaning
- bright, clear
- Origin
- Latin, English
- Pronunciation
- KLAIR
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #924
- US babies 2025
- 283
- Best rank
- #320 (1884)
- Peak year
- 1998
Meaning and origin of Clare
Clare is a Latin and English name that means “bright, clear”.
Clare comes from the Latin clarus, meaning bright, clear or famous. Saint Clare of Assisi, a follower of Saint Francis, founded the order of nuns known as the Poor Clares. The name is also a county in the west of Ireland. Clare has long been used in Britain and Ireland, often as an alternative to Claire. It feels crisp, classic and serene. It pairs well with longer middle names. The single-e spelling has a slightly older, more literary look than Claire, while sounding exactly the same.
Other spellings with the same sound: Claire, Clair.
Popularity over time
Clare 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 132 different years. Its best national rank was #320 in 1884, and the most babies received it in 1998, when 510 were named Clare. In 2025, 283 babies were named Clare, and it ranked #924 nationally. That is 27% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #435 in 1920, #496 in 1950, #1,078 in 1980, #535 in 2000, #681 in 2010, and #924 in 2025. Of the 31,456 US girls named Clare since records began, 14% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 3,968 babies. Since 2010, 5,512 more have been named Clare.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Savanah, Kacie, Jailene, Lizette, and Shyanne.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Clare ranked highest in Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | #360 | 15 |
| Massachusetts | #402 | 14 |
| New Jersey | #504 | 15 |
| Kansas | #511 | 6 |
| Iowa | #588 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Clare is usually pronounced KLAIR, with one syllable. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-re”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Claire and Clair.
Middle names for Clare
A few middle names that flow with Clare: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Clare
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Lists that include Clare
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Clare mean?
Clare is a Latin and English name that means “bright, clear”.
What is the origin of the name Clare?
Clare has Latin and English roots. Clare comes from the Latin clarus, meaning bright, clear or famous.
Is Clare a popular name?
Yes. Clare ranked #924 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Clare a boy or girl name?
Clare is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Clare?
Clare is usually pronounced KLAIR. 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