Clara
Clara is a girl's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Clear, bright, or famous.
Origin and history
Clara is a classic name derived from the Latin adjective meaning clear or bright. It has been used in the United States since record-keeping began in 1880 and continues to be popular in recent years. Its enduring popularity gives it a timeless, vintage quality in American name choices.
Popularity in the United States
300,524 babies in the United States have been named Clara since 1880. It ranks #129 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #85.
States where it is most popular
- TX (6.6 %)
- NY (5.9 %)
- PA (5.7 %)
- OH (4.8 %)
- NC (4.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 17,717 |
| 1890-1900 | 25,473 |
| 1900-1910 | 23,899 |
| 1910-1920 | 44,346 |
| 1920-1930 | 48,183 |
| 1930-1940 | 31,658 |
| 1940-1950 | 20,028 |
| 1950-1960 | 12,768 |
| 1960-1970 | 6,505 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,290 |
| 1980-1990 | 3,668 |
| 1990-2000 | 6,266 |
| 2000-2010 | 12,789 |
| 2010-2019 | 26,657 |
| 2020-2029 | 17,277 |
Famous people named Clara
- Clara Barton: Nurse, Humanitarian
- Clara Bow: Actress
- Clara Schumann: Musician, Composer
Nicknames
Claire, Clarrie
Fun facts
- The name originates from the Latin adjective clarus, which historically meant bright or distinguished.
- Clara was extremely popular in late 19th-century America and has experienced a notable resurgence in the 21st century.