"illustrious, renowned"
Origin: Old French
Language: French
Claire
Pronunciation: [ kl-EHR ]
Does Claire flow with your last name?
A luminous one-syllable classic with saintly elegance
French
English
American
Irish
Classic
Elegant
Minimalist
Sophisticated
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"famous, renowned"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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The Story of Claire
Claire is the French feminine form of the Latin 'clarus,' meaning clear, bright, or famous. The name was popularized by Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), who founded the Order of Poor Ladies (later the Poor Clares) alongside Saint Francis of Assisi. She was the first woman to write a monastic rule for a religious community, and her unwavering devotion made 'Clare' and 'Claire' beloved names throughout Catholic Europe and the English-speaking world.
Claire has been a perennial favorite in English-speaking countries throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, beloved for its crisp simplicity and elegance. It has never been wildly trendy, which has kept it feeling timeless rather than dated — a true classic that ages beautifully.
Saint Clare of Assisi is one of the most important female saints in Catholicism — patron of television, embroiderers, and laundry workers. In France, Claire has been a consistently elegant, sophisticated choice for centuries. In Ireland, Clare is both a popular name and a western county.
Historical Record
Claire first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 160,501 babies have been named Claire in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Claire is a steady classic , currently ranked #67 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Clare of Assisi is the patron saint of television — she was declared so because she reportedly once saw a Mass projected on the wall of her cell that she couldn't attend in person
- The English spelling 'Clare' is also the name of an Irish county and an Oxford college founded in 1326
Claire in Other Languages
French
Claire
German
Klara
Italian
Chiara
Spanish
Clara
Portuguese
Clara
Popularity Over Time
#67
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Claire
C
Claire Foy
Actor
1984
British actress who won the Golden Globe for portraying Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series The Crown
C
Claire Danes
Actor
1979
American actress known for My So-Called Life, Romeo + Juliet, and the Emmy-winning Homeland
S
Saint Clare of Assisi
Religious
1194
Italian mystic who founded the Poor Clares alongside Saint Francis of Assisi; first woman to write a monastic rule and p...
Italian mystic who founded the Poor Clares alongside Saint Francis of Assisi; first woman to write a monastic rule and patron saint of television
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #67
- Total SSA Count
- 3,329
- Cultural Origins
- French English American Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Nicknames
Cla
Cly
Claie
Claiie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Claire
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Claire is also used as a boy name, ranked #32679.
View Claire as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Claire →Compare Claire with...
Same Origin Names (French)
See all French names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Claire
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Frequently Asked Questions About Claire
What does the name Claire mean?
"illustrious, renowned" (from Old French). "famous, renowned" (from Latin). Claire is the French feminine form of the Latin 'clarus,' meaning clear, bright, or famous. The name was popularized by Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-1253), who founded the Order of Poor Ladies (later the Poor Clares) alongside Saint Francis of Assisi. She was the first woman to write a monastic rule for a religious community, and her unwavering devotion made 'Clare' and 'Claire' beloved names throughout Catholic Europe and the English-speaking world.
What is the origin of the name Claire?
Claire has Old French, Latin, French, English, American, and Irish origins. In Old French, it means "illustrious, renowned". In Latin, it means "famous, renowned".
Is Claire a boy or girl name?
Claire is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #67. As a boy name, it is ranked #32679. Claire is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Claire?
Claire is pronounced kl-EHR.
How popular is the name Claire?
Claire is currently ranked #67 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Claire?
Common nicknames for Claire include Cla, Cly, Claie, and Claiie.
What are good middle names for Claire?
Popular middle name pairings include Claire Elizabeth, Claire Anne, Claire Louise, Claire Olivia, Claire Marie, and Claire Isabelle.
What are good sibling names for Claire?
Names that pair well with Claire as siblings include Sophie, Isabelle, James, Henry, Rose, and Thomas.
How many syllables does Claire have?
Claire has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Claire a common or rare name?
Claire is a very popular name, ranked #67 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Claire?
About the Name Claire
Claire is a girl name with French, English, American, and Irish origins . The name means "illustrious, renowned" in Old French .
Is Claire a boy or girl name? Claire is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #67 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #32,679. Claire is more commonly used as a girl name.
Claire is currently ranked #67 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Claire has 1 syllable and is pronounced kl-EHR, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Claire include Cla, Cly, Claie, and Claiie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Claire include Claira, Clair . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis