Clara

During the Middle Ages, St. Clare of Assisi popularized her name throughout Europe. None of these women were just Clare, however. Latin records referred to them as Clara.

Clara didn't just come from Latinizing Clare. She also originated as the feminine equivalent of the Roman Clarus. In ancient Rome, names ending in "us" for boys ended in "a" for girls. However, Clarus and Clara were often used as extra middle names rather than first names. 

Clara has been used among English-speakers since the twelfth century. As described above, women with the name went by Clare in everyday life. It wasn't until the eighteenth century that Clara was heard in her own right. 

Clara became popular for the first time among English-speakers during the nineteenth century. In Australia, Clara was common until the 1900s. Clara was popular in England until the 1910s. In the United States and Canada, Clara remained common through the 1930s. 

During her reign, several namesakes became famous. These include American Red Cross founder Clara Barton, soprano singer Clara Novello, and German composer Clara Schumann. Clara also became the protagonist of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's famous fairy-tale ballet, The Nutcracker.

Clara hit her low point during the 1970s and 1980s; during that time, she mostly hovered in the 500s. Clara then rose again in both the United States and England. She is back in the top 100 in both nations. Perhaps Clara is at her highest rank since she began rising again. Clara also recently regained her popularity in Canada.

The name has been popular in several foreign languages as well. These include Austrian, Belgian, Danish, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swiss, et cetera. 

Clara is one of those classic names that feel old-fashioned but never completely die out. She is also cute and ladylike. The name's ladylike feel might turn liberal parents off. However, the name has also been worn by world-changing women who can serve as positive role-models for girls. The Nutcracker gives Clara a delicate fairy-tale charm as well.  

POPULARITY LEVEL: Top 100

FAMOUS REAL-LIFE NAMESAKES:

• English soprano singer Clara Novello (1818-1908)
• German composer Clara Schumann (1819-1896)
• American Red Cross founder Clarissa "Clara" Barton (1821-1912)
• American actor Clara Bow (1905-1965)
• Danish tennis player Clara Tauson (2002-)

FAMOUS FICTIONAL NAMESAKES:

• Protagonist Clara Stahlbaum in Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker (1892), as well as in Disney's 2018 film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
• Eleventh and twelfth doctors' companion Clara Oswald in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who (1963)

VARIANTS: Clare, Clarissa, Clarita, Klara

SISTERS: Alice, Eva, Helen, Jane, Lydia, Mabel, Phoebe, Rose, Thea, Violet

BROTHERS: Axel, Charlie, Edward, Felix, Henry, Leo, Miles, Oscar, Simon, Theodore

ALTERNATIVES: Alma, Clarice, Cleo, Flora, Frida, Greta, Irene, Marta, Petra, Rosa

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FURTHER RESOURCES:

"Clara." Names, Behind the Name, 21 Jan. 2022, https://www.behindthename.com/name/clara. 

Nickerson, Eleanor. "Clara." Names of the Week, British Baby Names, 10 Jan. 2016, https://www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2016/10/clara.html. 

Redmond, Pamela. "Clara." Names, Nameberry, 22 Aug. 2025, https://nameberry.com/b/girl-baby-name-clara.

What do you think of Clara?