Claire
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Clear, bright, famous
Origin: French form of Clara, from Latin clarus (clear, bright, famous)
Popularity: Ranked #68 in 2025 with 3,487 babies born.
History: Claire is the French form of Clara — both derive from the Latin clarus, meaning bright or illustrious. St. Clare of Assisi, the 13th-century founder of the Order of Poor Ladies and close companion of St. Francis, gave the name deep spiritual resonance in Catholic tradition. The name has been popular in France for centuries and became fashionable in the English-speaking world through the 20th century. It entered the U.S. top 100 in the 1970s and has remained a steady, elegant presence — never flashy, always refined, with a crisp French clarity that never goes out of style.
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Claire? About 1 in 955 babies born in 2025 were named Claire, or roughly 9.6 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Claire
What does the name Claire mean?
Claire means “Clear, bright, famous” from French form of Clara, from Latin clarus (clear, bright, famous) roots.
What is the origin of the name Claire?
Claire has French form of Clara, from Latin clarus (clear, bright, famous) origin. The traditional meaning is “Clear, bright, famous”.
How popular is Claire?
Claire ranked #68 in 2025 — given to 3,487 babies that year.
When was Claire most popular?
Claire peaked in 2016 with 5,216 babies registered that year.
Is Claire a boy or girl name?
Claire is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Claires in registered births are female.
Is the name Claire rising or falling in popularity?
Claire has fallen 10 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #58 in 2020 to #68 in 2025.
How long has Claire been recorded?
Claire appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.