Girl · 51st of 30,306
Claire
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
210,623
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2016
Peak Popularity Year
5,216
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Claire stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Claire originates from the Latin word 'clarus', meaning 'clear' or 'bright', and has evolved through various forms in French. It conveys traits of brightness and clarity. The name does not have a biblical background. Claire gained popularity in the 19th century and is now perceived as a classic and sophisticated name, with several notable figures bearing it.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/klɛr/
Origin
French
Etymology
The name Claire is derived from the Latin word 'clarus', which means 'clear' or 'bright'. It evolved into the Old French form 'claire'.
Meaning
bright, clear
Language Evolution
Clara (Latin), Clara (Old French), Claire (Modern French)
Historical Usage
Claire gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in France, and has since spread to other cultures and languages.
Variants & Derivatives
Clara, Clare, Clair, Clarey
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Claire is viewed as a classic and elegant name, often associated with sophistication and grace.
Famous People
Claire Danes, Claire Foy, Claire Holt, Claire Underwood (fictional character in House of Cards)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,216 peak births in 2016
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 8 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 838th of 7545 | 1,046 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1094th of 6773 | 683 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2294th of 7552 | 238 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6703rd of 10718 | 31 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7112th of 16616 | 75 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 13297th of 24088 | 44 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 20190th of 23106 | 10 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 189th of 9107 | 19,968 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 176th of 9204 | 21,925 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 274th of 12526 | 18,471 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 483rd of 19264 | 6,657 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 189th of 27321 | 25,187 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 78th of 35406 | 64,181 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 51st of 30306 | 50,413 |