Clare and Clair are options, too. All come directly from the Latin clarus — clear or bright. Though Clare can also be an Irish place name and surname, as in County Clare, and an English one, too, from the Suffolk town. But the name dates even farther back. And the thirteenth century Italian saint boosted her name across Europe, in several forms — including the Latin Clara. This name became a Top Ten favorite in the late s, but remains just outside of the US Top now.
The Italian form of the name brings to mind a host of international options. Kiara and company could be re-spellings of either, or just a whole new name. Americans usually think of nicknames as shorter — Ellie for Eleanor, Lou from Lucille.
But many languages elaborate names, adding syllables to create diminutive forms. My family turned Chairina into Clarina, though the current bearer of the name much prefers to be Clare. Speaking of elaborations, Clarencia probably comes from Clarence, though it seems possible that Clarencia predates the masculine form. A medieval state known as Achaea once claimed Clarencia as its capital. Another rarity, Clarette languished even in the age of Annette.
Clarabelle screams cow, thanks to Walt Disney. The character debuted way back in , and appears just enough over the years to remind us. In our age of Isabella and Annabelle, surely some spelling of this name could appeal. Clarabella, maybe? A handful of names are cemented in our collective memory from just one scene. Both roles — and names — are unforgettable. And it appeared in the US Top most years into the s.
Like Claribel, this is a smoosh name. Or it could come from the Occitan Esclarmonde — light of the world, a name from medieval legend.
Edmund Spenser, that great inventor of dramatic names, created Clarinda for his sixteenth century epic, The Faerie Queene. It has a long history of sparing use in the US, though it seems near extinction in the last decade or so. Unlike many of the Claire names, Clarion feels unisex. It also sounds more modern than antique. Clarion originally referred to a small trumpet, again from the Latin clarus. A clarion call demands action. That makes this part-musical, part-virtue name.
But it sounds vintage, and indeed, the name was first made famous by a late eighteenth century novel — in which virtuous Clarissa suffers mightily.
Still, I think this name sounds romantic, resilient, and just a little bit different today. Felicity, Amity, and Verity all feel at home on Plymouth Rock. But Clarity carries a modern vibe. It suggests clear thinking, or perhaps vision — which makes this an especially clever choice for a baby.
File it with Serenity, another meaning-rich choice for a daughter today. Nearly any of these names might shorten to Clary, but it might bring to mind the main character from The Mortal Instruments.
Klara could be a Kardashian-inspired spin on Clara. Double Claire names occur in many languages. The magazine Marie Claire makes the French version familiar, but all of these — and more — are heard across time and languages. Looking for a tailored, unisex spin on Claire names, but not willing to go quite as far as Clarion?
Sinclair means Saint Claire. It brings to mind American author Sinclair Lewis, which makes it feel masculine. But in our age of Harper, Riley, and Addison, I think this works every bit as well for a daughter. What are your favorite Claire names? First published on April 9, , I wrote the original version for my mother, Clare. I love Claire. Opera singer Dame Clara Butt gave her name to a tulip bulb, always pronounced Dame Clair-uh Butt by my English mother, a keen gardener, and everyone else.
One of my daughters has Claire as her middle name. Claire, luminous, simple, and strong, with a barely distinguishable French accent, is one of those special names that is familiar yet distinctive, feminine but not frilly, combining historical depth with a modern edge.
And though Claire is enjoying revived popularity, it will never be seen as trendy. Claire is also a great middle name choice. Claire is usually seen as the French spelling of the name, while the equally appropriate Clare is English and Clair is French too. Clara, once seen as a stuffier version, has lately gained some fashion edge, primarily because it has more vintage charm and is somewhat more unusual. According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Isabella was at its peak popularity in October Claire is the French spelling that has gained popularity across the globe.
In medieval times, Saint Clare of Assisi, who later became the patron saint of television, was one of the most well-known Claires. First Name. Last Name. Syllables : 1.
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