♀ Clara
What does Clara mean?
C lara [cla ra] ▼ as a girls' name is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Clara is "bright, famous". Post-classical name from the feminine form of the adjective "clarus". In the modern English-speaking world, it represents a re-Latinization of the normal English form Clare . Also a nickname for Clarissa . Made famous in the 1920s by the silent film actress Clara Bow, known as "the It girl", because whatever "it" was, she had it.
Variations
SEE ALSO Claramae
CREATIVE FORMS
(female) Clarai, Claya.
(male) Claer, Claral.
MIDDLE NAME PAIRINGS
Clara Lana (C.L.).
How popular is Clara?
Clara is a very popular first name for women (#144 out of 4276, Top 3%) and also a very popular last name for both adults and children (#22870 out of 150436, Top 15%). (2000 U.S. DEMOGRAPHICS)
Clara reached its apex position of #9 in the U.S. in the 1880s, and is at #98 currently. (2015 U.S. SSA RECORDS)
Which version is better?
with its variant forms and related girl names. Popular variation forms of Clara (#98 A YEAR AGO) appearing in the Top 2000 are Claire (#49). Clarissa (#700). Clare (#730). Klara (#1827). Chiara (#1863). Claris. Clarisa. Clarita. Clarine. Claribel . Clarabelle. Claretha. Claretta. Clarice and Clarinda . Other variants, like Claressa, are seldom used. Usage of these relations of Clara was at its apex in the 1880s (ADOPTION OF 2.3%) and is now significantly reduced (ADOPTION 0.7%, 71% LESS). with versions like Clarisa becoming somewhat outmoded. Claire has been the most popular choice, although Clare appears to be gaining favor too.