Clara - name meaning and origin

The girl's name Clara \c-la-ra\ is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "famous, brilliant". 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. Made famous in the 1920s by the silent film actress Clara Bow, known as "the It girl", because whatever "it" was, she had it.

Clara has 13 variant forms: Clarabelle, Claretha, Claribel, Clarice, Clarie, Clarinda, Clarine, Clarita, Claritza, Clarrie, Clarry, Klara and Klarra.

For more information, see also related names Chiara, Claire and Claramae.

Baby names that sound like Clara are Cliara, Clary and Clari.

Clara is a very popular female first name and a popular surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Clara. Compare Clara with related baby names.