Girl · 100th of 30,306
Clara
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
297,914
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1918
Peak Popularity Year
5,800
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Clara 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
Clara is a name of Latin origin meaning 'bright' or 'clear'. It evolved through various forms from Latin to English. The name is often associated with positive traits such as clarity and fame. It does not have a biblical background. Clara gained popularity in the 19th century and is still regarded as a classic name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈklɑːrə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Clara comes from the Latin word 'clarus', meaning 'clear', 'bright', or 'famous'.
Meaning
bright, clear, famous
Language Evolution
Clara (Latin), Clara (Medieval Latin), Clara (Old French), Clara (English)
Historical Usage
Clara became popular in the 19th century, especially in English-speaking countries, often linked to the cult of saints and the growing popularity of the name among the educated classes.
Variants & Derivatives
Claire, Clare, Clarissa, Clarice
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Clara is viewed as a classic and elegant name, frequently associated with intelligence and sophistication.
Famous People
Clara Schumann, a renowned pianist and composer, Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Bow, a famous actress from the silent film era
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:
Consistently Rising
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 5,800 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
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 3 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 | 1435th of 7545 | 411 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1702nd of 6773 | 323 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4212th of 7552 | 60 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8050th of 10718 | 17 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 12589th of 16616 | 16 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 19652nd of 24088 | 12 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 20190th of 23106 | 10 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 41st of 9107 | 105,348 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 95th of 9204 | 52,588 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 230th of 12526 | 24,160 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 511th of 19264 | 6,147 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 508th of 27321 | 7,325 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 243rd of 35406 | 21,253 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 100th of 30306 | 34,061 |