Clara vs Claire
A side-by-side comparison of Clara and Claire — meaning, origin, pronunciation, popularity, and cultural significance.
Clara vs Claire: the key differences
Clara and Claire often end up on the same shortlist. Clara is of Latin origin and Claire of French origin; Clara means “bright, clear, illustrious” and Claire means “bright, clear, famous”. Both are used for girls.
In 2025, Clara ranked #63 and Claire #68 among girls' names in the US, so Clara was the more common choice, 5 places ahead of Claire. Clara overtook Claire in 2025; Clara peaked at #7 in 1885, Claire at #40 in 2016.
Clara has 2 syllables and 5 letters; Claire has 1 syllable and 6.
how do Clara and Claire compare?
| Clara | Attribute | Claire |
|---|---|---|
bright, clear, illustrious | Meaning | bright, clear, famous |
| Latin | Origin | French |
KLAIR-ah | Pronunciation | KLAIR |
| girl | Gender | girl |
2 syllables, 5 letters | Sound | 1 syllable, 6 letters |
Clarie, Lala | Nicknames | Clairey |
Claire, Klara, Chiara | Variants | Clara, Clare, Klara |
#7 in 1885 | All-time peak | #40 in 2016 |
Clara Barton; Clara Bow | Famous namesakes | Claire Danes; Claire Foy |
The feminine of the Late Latin Clarus, meaning bright, shining or clear. Several early male Christian saints were called Clarus; the feminine form is post-classical and came into general use later. | Etymology | From the Latin clarus, meaning bright, clear or famous, by way of the French. The English variant Clara keeps the Latin ending, while Claire is the French form — the two are the same name at different stages of the same descent. |
| #63 | Popularity (2025) | #68 |
From the Latin clarus meaning bright or famous. Saint Clara of Assisi and Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, are among its most celebrated bearers. | Cultural Note | The French form of Clara, from the Latin clarus meaning bright or famous. Saint Clare of Assisi founded the Order of Poor Ladies in the 13th century. |
which is more popular: Clara or Claire?
Clara
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #63 |
| 2024 | #78 |
| 2023 | #98 |
| 2022 | #110 |
| 2021 | #102 |
Claire
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #68 |
| 2024 | #67 |
| 2023 | #68 |
| 2022 | #66 |
| 2021 | #59 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
questions about Clara and Claire
What is the difference between Clara and Claire?
Clara and Claire often end up on the same shortlist. Clara is of Latin origin and Claire of French origin; Clara means “bright, clear, illustrious” and Claire means “bright, clear, famous”. Both are used for girls.
Which is more popular, Clara or Claire?
In 2025, Clara ranked #63 and Claire #68 among girls' names in the US, so Clara was the more common choice, 5 places ahead of Claire. Clara overtook Claire in 2025; Clara peaked at #7 in 1885, Claire at #40 in 2016.
Are Clara and Claire pronounced the same?
Clara is pronounced KLAIR-ah and Claire KLAIR. Clara has 2 syllables and 5 letters; Claire has 1 syllable and 6.
Should I name my baby Clara or Claire?
Both Clara and Claire are beautiful choices. Consider the meaning, cultural significance, and how each sounds with your last name. HushName's free AI consultation can help you explore both options and find the perfect fit for your family.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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