Claire
Claire is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Clear, bright, famous.
Origin and history
Claire is a classical name derived from the Latin adjective 'clarus', meaning clear, bright, or famous. Although traditionally used far more frequently for females, historically it was used as a masculine name as well, derived directly or via French. In contemporary U.S. history, male usage is very rare.
Popularity in the United States
2,204 babies in the United States have been named Claire since 1880. It ranks #2751 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1922.
States where it is most popular
- IA (30.8 %)
- WI (25.6 %)
- PA (13.3 %)
- IL (6.9 %)
- OH (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 13 |
| 1890-1900 | 57 |
| 1900-1910 | 109 |
| 1910-1920 | 411 |
| 1920-1930 | 656 |
| 1930-1940 | 399 |
| 1940-1950 | 236 |
| 1950-1960 | 151 |
| 1960-1970 | 29 |
| 1970-1980 | 14 |
| 1980-1990 | 52 |
| 1990-2000 | 28 |
| 2000-2010 | 39 |
| 2010-2019 | 5 |
| 2020-2029 | 5 |
Famous people named Claire
- Claire Lee Chennault: Military Officer, Aviator
- Claire Alexander: Ice Hockey Player
Fun facts
- Derived from the Latin word 'clarus', which was used as a Roman cognomen for both men and women.
- Though predominantly a female name today, Claire appeared historically as a male name in France and early American records.