What Does the Name Clara Mean?
Clara is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning “clear, bright, famous.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Clara |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Latin |
| Meaning | clear, bright, famous |
| Variants | Clare, Claire, Clarissa, Klara |
| Popularity | A vintage favorite returning to the U.S. top 100 in the 2010s-2020s. |
The meaning and origin of Clara
The name Clara means “clear, bright, famous” and has Latin origins. The feminine form of the Late Latin name Clarus, meaning 'clear' or 'bright.' Borne by the medieval Saint Clare of Assisi, it has seen a notable revival in recent years.
Variants and related names
Clara is related to several other names you may recognize: Clare, Claire, Clarissa, Klara. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Clara?
A vintage favorite returning to the U.S. top 100 in the 2010s-2020s.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Clara mean?+
The name Clara means “clear, bright, famous” and is of Latin origin.
What is the origin of the name Clara?+
Clara originates from Latin.
Is Clara a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Clara has trended in the US over time.
Clara by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press