Clara
How to say it: KLAIR-uh · /ˈklɛrə/
From Latin 'clarus' meaning 'clear, bright, famous'. Borne by Saint Clare of Assisi.
Clara was the 78th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 3,601 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1880s, its births are up about 15% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #68 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #78 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 3,601 |
| Share of births | 1 in 867 |
| Peak decade | 1880s |
| Change over 10 years | +15% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #68 |
| In France, 2025 | #134 among girls’ names, 465 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After its high in the 1880s, Clara stayed in use while falling far below that mark. The next few years are expected to lift it.
What goes with it
Gentle with clear soft sounds and crisp edges, Clara carries light and a saintly heritage. Lucy echoes its classic charm.
Middle names that flow with Clara →
Nicknames
- Clare
- Clar
Honouring a Clara in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Clara is about 1 in 37.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish.
In France: #134 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #77. Ireland: #73.
Famous people named Clara
- Clara Zetkin (1857–1933)Communist activist, and advocate for women's rights
- Clara Schumann (1819–1896)German musician and composer
- Clara Bow (1905–1965)American actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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