Girl Name · Latin Origin
Clara
Pick up any 2026 baby-name shortlist and Clara is almost certainly on it. Etymologically, Clara traces back to a root meaning "Bright, clear", giving it a quiet narrative spine that meaningful names always carry. The Latin roots give Clara a cultural lineage that long predates its modern revival. Our reviewers flagged Clara as a strong "first introduction" name: it teaches and reads cleanly in print, on a name tag, and over the phone.
Popularity-wise, Clara lives in the top 250 on the latest SSA charts — a popular pick that still feels personal. Compared with names of similar style, Clara has held its rank more consistently — a quiet sign of long-term durability. Its sound profile is balanced: vowel-forward enough to feel warm, consonant-anchored enough to feel grounded. Parents who love Clara often also weigh Clora, Cleora, Clair — and the Clara name page below covers nicknames, sibling pairings, and pronunciation in detail.
Clara meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Bright, clear
Origin: Latin naming roots help connect Clara to related Latin baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Clara as C·L·A·R·A, with 5 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Clara is a popular favorite that still feels personal in the Top 250 tier.
Clara variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Claraa, Clarae, Claray, Clar.
- Nicknames: Cla and C.
- Middle names: Pair Clara with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Clara middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Clora, Cleora, Clair, Clare, Claire — full picks on the sibling names for Clara guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Clara? Browse our names like Clara guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Clara
What does the name Clara mean?
Clara means "Bright, clear" and is of Latin origin.
What is the origin of Clara?
Clara originates in Latin naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Clara?
Clara has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Clara a boy's or girl's name?
Clara is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Clara in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Clara sits in the Top 250 tier — a popular favorite that still feels personal.
What names are similar to Clara?
Names that share Clara's sound and style include Clora, Cleora, Clair, Clare, Claire.
What middle names pair well with Clara?
Good middle-name fits for Clara pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Clara is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Clara is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Clara?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Clara share its rhythm without rhyming — Clora, Cleora, Clair all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.