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Clara as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Clara

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The baby name Clara is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced English (US): /ˈklærə/,English (UK): /ˈklɑːrə/,Spanish/Italian: /ˈklaɾa/.

Clara is Latin in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: English (US): /ˈklærə/,English (UK): /ˈklɑːrə/,Spanish/Italian: /ˈklaɾa/

What is the meaning of the name Clara ?

The baby name Clara is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced English (US): /ˈklærə/,English (UK): /ˈklɑːrə/,Spanish/Italian: /ˈklaɾa/.

Clara is Latin in Origin.

Clara stems from Latin clarus, meaning “clear,” “bright,” and “illustrious,” with the feminine form attested in late antiquity. Medieval prominence followed the reputation of Saint Clare of Assisi (Italian Chiara), spreading the name across Catholic Europe. It entered English via Norman and ecclesiastical channels, flourished in the 18th–19th centuries, and enjoyed a major Victorian revival; figures like nurse-humanitarian Clara Barton and pianist-composer Clara Schumann reinforced its cultured aura. In the arts, the heroine of The Nutcracker and numerous literary Claras kept it visible.

International variants include Claire and Clare (French/English), Klara (German, Slavic, Scandinavian), Chiara (Italian), Klára (Czech, Hungarian), and Clara in Spanish and Portuguese. Elaborations and cognates: Clarissa, Clarice/Clarisse, and the diminutives Clarita and Clarinha; Clary and Clarey serve as nicknames. The enduring meaning centers on clarity and fame, yielding a polished, luminous classic with steady modern use.

Clara has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Clara

Clara Zetkin Politician · Born 1857 · Germany Clara Zetkin was a German politician best known for her role in advocating for women's rights and her involvement in the socialist movement. She played a key role in establishing International Women's Day. Zetkin was also a prominent member of the Communist Party of Germany. Clara Bow Actor · Born 1905 · United States Clara Bow was a famous American actress best known as a leading sex symbol of the 1920s and for her role in the film 'It', which earned her the nickname 'The It Girl'. She also starred in 'Wings', the first film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Her vibrant personality and expressive acting made her a standout figure in the silent film era. Clara Petacci Politician · Born 1912 · Kingdom of Italy Clara Petacci is most famous for being the mistress of Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator during World War II. She was closely associated with Mussolini during the final years of his regime in the Kingdom of Italy.
Clara Rockmore Musician · Born 1911 · United States Clara Rockmore was a pioneering musician from the United States, best known for her mastery of the theremin, an electronic musical instrument. She brought classical music to life through this unique instrument, performing pieces like Saint-Saëns' 'The Swan' and Rachmaninoff's 'Vocalise'. Her work helped elevate the theremin from a novelty to a respected musical instrument. Clara Lago Actor · Born 1990 · Spain Clara Lago is a Spanish actress best known for her role in the hit film 'Ocho apellidos vascos'. She also starred in 'Tengo ganas de ti' and 'La cara oculta', showcasing her versatility and talent in Spanish cinema. Clara Galle Actor · Born 2002 · Spain Clara Galle is a Spanish actress best known for her role in the Netflix film 'Through My Window'. Born in 2002, she has quickly gained recognition for her talent in the Spanish film industry.

Celebrity babies named Clara

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Clara McGregor Ewan McGregor film director ★★★★★

Clara – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2025 #1 — 874
Germany Girls 2025 #1 — 411
KR 0 #8 1 201
BI 0 #12 1 425
KR Girls 0 #15 1 572
Canada Girls 2024 #20 646 2,795
HN 0 #22 1 704
HT Girls 0 #22 2 950
BN 0 #31 2 2,297
NA 0 #32 2 2,537
BI Girls 0 #33 1 726
Sweden Girls 2022 #34 261 1,568
EE 0 #37 1 1,051
ID 0 #37 3 2,238
HN Girls 0 #38 1 884
MO 0 #42 11 2,706
MT 0 #43 1 1,767
BI Boys 0 #44 1 917
Austria Girls 2024 #48 165 60
CM 0 #52 5 2,592
NL Girls 2014 #53 9 73
Switzerland Girls 2024 #55 98 1,786
PR 0 #55 1 1,497
France Girls 2021 #57 927 3,185
LU 0 #62 5 2,830
MU Girls 0 #68 603 8,539
PT Girls 0 #68 2,383 7,952
AO 0 #70 8 2,729
AZ Girls 0 #75 1 1,051
JP 0 #75 3 4,057
United States Girls 2024 #78 3,060 8,487
CN 0 #79 8 3,857
SI 0 #79 2 1,612
Belgium Girls 2024 #80 112 424
ID Girls 0 #81 18 3,319
Spain Girls 0 #83 9,844 5,561
Norway Girls 2025 #84 46 453
TW 0 #87 14 4,523
AO Girls 0 #89 137 4,575
JM 0 #90 4 3,714
CO Girls 0 #92 11,841 16,140
MD Girls 0 #92 1 865
MU 0 #94 45 3,613
QA 0 #102 5 7,011
PH 0 #105 6 5,607
Spain 0 #106 747 2,326
BN Girls 0 #107 8 5,459
GE Boys 0 #110 1 2,055
EC 0 #113 9 2,502
PT 0 #114 192 4,161
HU 0 #115 1 1,675
PA 0 #115 16 3,797
OM 0 #116 6 6,215
LU Girls 0 #117 73 4,850
CY Girls 0 #118 8 3,755
DK Girls 0 #121 298 7,429
KW 0 #121 1 5,216
BW Girls 0 #124 25 4,216
AR Girls 0 #125 1,536 8,289
PR Girls 0 #128 34 3,171
AR 0 #129 58 2,915
CO 0 #129 819 7,768
CY Boys 0 #131 1 3,473
MT Girls 0 #131 21 3,773
GR 0 #133 3 3,911
ID Boys 0 #135 1 4,130
BR Girls 0 #136 3,793 12,708
RS Girls 0 #136 2 1,651
IT Girls 0 #137 19,169 9,415
NG Girls 0 #138 2,551 15,093
CR 0 #145 14 5,526
UY 0 #145 33 2,477
EC Girls 0 #147 96 3,650
UY Girls 0 #150 754 6,731
HK Girls 0 #154 1,013 16,104
PE Girls 0 #156 3,261 14,861
CL Girls 0 #160 2,926 14,098
DK 0 #160 44 5,198
SG Girls 0 #163 700 18,916
GT Girls 0 #169 512 7,500
SG 0 #170 103 11,010
HK 0 #173 207 8,483
SI Girls 0 #174 4 2,769
AE 0 #182 6 10,220
Austria 0 #182 32 850
GH Girls 0 #183 176 6,973
CZ 0 #184 3 3,154
MO Girls 0 #186 66 7,056
NA Girls 0 #186 39 7,146
PA Girls 0 #188 385 9,861
BO Girls 0 #192 826 9,488
RU 0 #194 1 3,641
MX Girls 0 #195 5,039 17,781
CM Girls 0 #201 509 11,671
PS 0 #208 11 5,692
GH 0 #209 35 5,396
JP Girls 0 #210 36 6,592
PL 0 #211 2 2,600
BR 0 #215 138 5,969
TW Girls 0 #216 61 8,139
GT 0 #218 98 5,948
LU Boys 0 #218 3 4,970
HU Girls 0 #219 7 3,308
AL Girls 0 #220 8 4,141
GR Girls 0 #222 21 6,293
NG 0 #223 42 5,926
BG Girls 0 #226 6 3,559
IR 0 #230 2 4,221
MO Boys 0 #234 1 5,842
PE 0 #235 76 6,350
EC Boys 0 #245 2 3,322
AO Boys 0 #246 4 5,568
IT 0 #247 1,022 4,183
JM Girls 0 #247 13 7,507
CR Girls 0 #250 357 11,342
IL 0 #250 25 6,291
CN Girls 0 #251 99 8,829
NA Boys 0 #253 1 6,830
QA Girls 0 #253 64 15,378
TW Boys 0 #256 1 7,111
Austria Girls 0 #257 176 1,885
HR Boys 0 #259 1 3,997
BO 0 #272 110 6,868
GR Boys 0 #273 1 6,912
MX 0 #286 131 8,339
HR Girls 0 #288 7 3,687
CL 0 #290 125 6,867
MY 0 #297 34 12,352
AL Boys 0 #303 1 5,122
LB 0 #306 463 13,263
PH Girls 0 #308 84 13,098
OM Girls 0 #309 88 15,987
SA 0 #309 4 10,560
KZ Girls 0 #310 11 5,862
JO Girls 0 #314 12 7,570
CZ Girls 0 #320 22 5,378
CN Boys 0 #326 6 9,639
SD Girls 0 #331 15 7,678
DK Boys 0 #332 1 7,401
Germany Girls 0 #337 808 4,949
NL 0 #343 49 2,481
PL Girls 0 #343 12 5,096
Germany 0 #346 93 2,542
Finland Girls 0 #349 43 1,368
PT Boys 0 #351 17 7,951
GH Boys 0 #359 3 8,138
MU Boys 0 #366 4 8,477
BD Girls 0 #372 15 8,413
France Boys 2000 #374 4 2,309
EG 0 #376 25 6,387
JO Boys 0 #389 1 7,057
UY Boys 0 #390 10 5,922
YE 0 #391 8 8,639
KW Girls 0 #393 123 19,177
AE Girls 0 #404 150 20,968
Finland Girls 2026 #417 503 3,895
ZA 0 #417 31 14,421
PS Girls 0 #430 94 10,981
AR Boys 0 #439 29 7,628
IL Girls 0 #440 183 11,648
EG Girls 0 #443 741 14,742
ZA Girls 0 #452 1,129 25,928
RU Girls 0 #471 28 11,913
IQ Girls 0 #483 22 11,303
GT Boys 0 #491 9 7,625
PA Boys 0 #499 7 9,305
IR Girls 0 #501 30 8,334
NL Girls 0 #507 543 5,933
CR Boys 0 #510 1 10,188
MY Girls 0 #512 561 24,821
RU Boys 0 #526 1 12,621
BH 0 #531 23 17,937
CM Boys 0 #533 18 12,054
HK Boys 0 #551 7 12,905
LY 0 #551 9 12,703
BO Boys 0 #580 13 9,244
BD Boys 0 #605 1 10,045
IN Girls 0 #607 25 13,121
IL Boys 0 #622 4 10,983
CL Boys 0 #633 33 13,390
IQ Boys 0 #693 5 13,071
BR Boys 0 #697 55 12,213
SY 0 #709 20 11,684
TN 0 #727 103 13,765
SG Boys 0 #731 9 17,960
QA Boys 0 #738 6 18,093
KW Boys 0 #755 15 18,755
SA Girls 0 #771 165 25,931
CO Boys 0 #777 144 15,656
PE Boys 0 #813 66 14,506
Spain Boys 0 #857 74 5,610
OM Boys 0 #864 18 17,948
United States Boys 2019 #887 5 7,235
MA 0 #888 242 20,986
NG Boys 0 #900 52 16,906
MX Boys 0 #912 71 16,355
EG Boys 0 #919 7 15,035
NL Boys 0 #942 10 5,873
DZ 0 #996 181 20,130
IN Boys 0 #1,039 1 16,750
MY Boys 0 #1,089 23 25,439
AE Boys 0 #1,139 5 22,615
ZA Boys 0 #1,152 27 25,619
TR 0 #1,166 46 19,440
IT Boys 0 #1,342 130 10,046
SA Boys 0 #1,605 10 28,008

Clara is popular in 92 countries — most recent births per country:

France
NL
Ireland
Norway
Scotland, United Kingdom

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Clara

Clara is predominantly a girl's name.
Clara is a 2 syllable name, pronounced English (US): /ˈklærə/,English (UK): /ˈklɑːrə/,Spanish/Italian: /ˈklaɾa/.
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Clare, Claire, Clair, Klara, Klára and Clarissa.
Yes, very popular — Clara ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 14 countries.
Clara ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Clara's popularity is declining significantly. It moved from #12 in 2011 to #57 in 2021 in France.
Yes — 11 notable people named Clara are in our database, including Clara Zetkin (Politician), Clara Bow (Actor), Clara Petacci (Politician).
Yes — at least 1 celebrity couple has chosen Clara for their child, including Ewan McGregor.