Clair
Clair is a girl's name of French origin.
Meaning
Clear, bright, or famous.
Origin and history
Clair is a French variant of Clara, derived from the Latin word meaning clear or bright. Though historically used for both males and females, it functions as a rare feminine given name in the United States today. It offers a sleek, single-syllable alternative to the more common Claire and Clara.
Popularity in the United States
4,310 babies in the United States have been named Clair since 1880. It ranks #2681 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1939.
States where it is most popular
- CA (29 %)
- NY (22.3 %)
- TX (13.8 %)
- LA (5.8 %)
- OH (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 10 |
| 1890-1900 | 57 |
| 1900-1910 | 92 |
| 1910-1920 | 246 |
| 1920-1930 | 370 |
| 1930-1940 | 290 |
| 1940-1950 | 321 |
| 1950-1960 | 376 |
| 1960-1970 | 263 |
| 1970-1980 | 206 |
| 1980-1990 | 432 |
| 1990-2000 | 536 |
| 2000-2010 | 516 |
| 2010-2019 | 433 |
| 2020-2029 | 162 |
Fun facts
- Clair is the traditional French masculine spelling, but in the United States, it has historically been used for both girls and boys.
- Without the silent final 'e' found in Claire, Clair offers a streamlined, vintage aesthetic that remains relatively uncommon.