Origin, Meaning, And History of Claire
The name Claire is a traditionally feminine name derived from the Latin word ‘clarus,’ meaning ‘bright’ or ‘clear.’ In French, Claire comes from the word ‘clair,’ which means ‘clear’ and was used mainly for males. However, this name is now more popular among girls, with variations including Clair, Clare, Klaire, or Klare.
The earliest use of the name Claire can be traced back to the 12th century when its variant Clare was the name of an Italian saint. St. Clare of Assisi was one of the first followers of Francis of Assisi, who wrote monastic guidelines named Rule of Life. It was the first monastic guideline ever written by a woman, and she was designated as the patron saint by Pope Pius XII in 1958.
In English, the name spelled ‘Clare’ was famous in the Middle Ages until Clara became more popular in the 19th century. The form ‘Claire’ then gained popularity in the 20th century. The name has many variations, including Klara in German. Chiara in Italian, and Clarinda in English.
Claire has been one of the top 500 girl names in the US since 1973, with its peak popularity in the last two decades. Several fictional and literary characters can be seen bearing the name Claire.Claire Dunphyis a fictional character in the American comedy television series ‘The Modern Family.’ She is the daughter of Jay and DeDe Pritchett and the wife of Phil.Claire Kendryis an important literary character in the American novel ‘Passing’ by Nella Larsen. She has been described as ‘catlike, selfish, emotionally cold, and sometimes vicious.’
The name appears asClaire Dearingin the ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise, the Dinosaur Protection Group leader and the former park operations manager.Claire Redfieldis another character in the ‘Resident Evil’ horror video game.
Claire
How To Pronounce Claire?
Famous People With The Name Claire
- Claire HoltAustralian-American actress known for her role in ‘The Vampire Diaries’
- Claire DanesAmerican actress known for her role in ‘Homeland’
- Claire BloomAmerican actress known for her role in ‘Streetcar Named Desire’
- Claire BoikoAmerican author known as the children’s playwright
- Claire BoucherCanadian musician and singer, professionally known as Grimes
- Claire EgtvedtAmerican airplane designer and the President of the Boeing Company
Claire On The Popularity Chart
The name Claire has been steadily growing in popularity since the 1980s. Take a look at the graphs to learn more about its growth trajectory.
Popularity Over Time
From 566 babies per million in 1980, more and more parents started naming their baby girl Claire. It has risen in popularity over the last two decades peaking in 2016 when 5214 babies per million got the name.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
As shown in the graph, Claire has been in the top 100 most popular names since the late 1990s. In 1998, it ranked 91st and is currently ranked as the 59th most popular girl’s name.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Claire
Are you enchanted by the sound of this one-syllable name? Here are some more alternatives for you to discover.
Popular Sibling Names For Claire
Other Popular Names Beginning With C
Names With Similar Meaning As Claire
If you are looking for a name signifying ‘brightness,’ but Claire is not the one, take a look at these names.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
claire
In Sign Language
claire
In Braille Alphabet
claire
In Morse Code
claire
Name Numerology For Claire
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Claire?
The name Claire means ‘bright’ or ‘clear.’
2. What is the origin of the name Claire?
Claire has Latin origins.
3. How to pronounce the name Claire?
Claire is pronounced as claire.
4. Is Claire short for something?
Although Claire is a standalone name, it could be considered short for names likeClarissa,Clarice,Claira, orClarence.
5. What is the Spanish version of the name Claire?
Clara is the Spanish version of Claire. It is a popular name in Spanish-speaking countries.
6. What is the cultural significance of the name Claire?
克莱尔被用在各种文化的名称over many centuries. Originating from France, the name was introduced to England in the 12th century by the Normans. In certain cultures, Claire holds connections to saints and religious figures. Saint Clare of Assisi, a 13th-century Italian nun, established the Order of Poor Clares and is revered as a patron saint of television, photography, and the blind. In Celtic cultures, Claire is linked to the goddess of the moon. In some cultures, Claire is associated with the color white, symbolizing purity and innocence.
7. What are some notable events or celebrations related to the name Claire?
One notable event or celebration is Feast Day of Saint Clare, which falls on August 11th. On this day, the Catholic Church honors the Italian Saint Clare of Assisi, the founder of the Order of Poor Ladies.
