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Why parents love Claire- The meaning bright/clear describes exactly how the name sounds.
- Saint Clare of Assisi gives it deep spiritual meaning.
- One syllable — the cleanest, most decisive name on any list.
- Claire Danes, Claire Foy, and Claire Underwood give it smart, powerful associations.
- It's been consistently popular for decades without ever feeling trendy.
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The vibe of Claire
clearbrightintelligentFrenchdecisiveluminouscleanclassic
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Origin & history of Claire
Latin clarus (bright, clear)
→ French Claire
→ English Claire/Clare
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French / Latin roots
Claire comes from the Latin clarus meaning bright, clear, or famous. Saint Clare (Chiara) of Assisi (1194–1253) was a follower of Saint Francis who founded the Order of Poor Ladies, later called the Poor Clares. She is the patron saint of television (because during an illness, she was said to have seen and heard a Mass taking place far away). The French spelling Claire has been the dominant form in English since the 20th century, overtaking the older Clare. Claire Danes in Homeland, Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth in The Crown, and Claire Underwood in House of Cards have given the name a string of powerful, intelligent fictional bearers.
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First recorded
Earliest known use: 13th century — Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) founded the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares).
3
Today
Claire remains a beloved choice, ranking #56 in the US. 210,623 babies have been named Claire since 1880.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Britannica, SSA data
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How popular is Claire?
2016
peak year
Claire appears in U.S. registration data going all the way back to 1880, when records begin. Its popularity climbed over the following decades. In 2016, 5,216 babies were named Claire (ranked #40 nationally). Today it sits inside the top hundred (#56), with roughly 4,075 babies named Claire each year. Claire has been declining in recent years. In total, around 210,623 babies have been registered with this name since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations
1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
5,216
Babies named in peak year
(ranked #40)
(ranked #40)
4,075
Avg. per year
(last decade)
(last decade)
40,750
Total registrations
last 10 years
last 10 years
210,623
All-time total
(since 1880)
(since 1880)
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Numerology of Claire3
Life path number
The Creator
Creativity, joy and self-expression.
Claire's Life Path 3 is the communicator's number — fitting for a name that means clarity itself. People named Claire tend to be articulate, perceptive, and gifted at making complex things simple. Their thinking is as clear as their name suggests.
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Crystal-clear thinking✦
Articulate communicator◈
Perceptive and sharp◎
Makes complexity simple♡
Direct and honestC3
L3
A1
I9
R9
E5
Sum: 30 → Life path 3
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Personality of Claire✨
Bright & creative
Imaginative, expressive, endlessly inventive.
😊
Magnetic warmth
Their laugh is contagious. People love being near them.
🌈
Eternal optimist
Even in dark moments they find the light.
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Storyteller
They can describe anything and make it fascinating.
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Famous people named ClaireClick any name to view their Wikipedia page.
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Saint Clare of Assisi
Founder of the Poor Clares, patron saint of television.
C
Claire Danes
Emmy-winning actress known for Homeland and Romeo + Juliet.
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Claire Foy
Actress who played Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, Emmy winner.
C
Claire Underwood
Iconic character in House of Cards, played by Robin Wright.
C
Claire Messud
Acclaimed novelist known for The Woman Upstairs.
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If you like Claire, you may also loveClara
The Latin original — warmer, two syllables, equally luminous.
Grace
Same one-syllable elegance with a virtue meaning.
Jane
Both are one-syllable, classic names that feel intelligent and timeless.
Maeve
Same short, strong, literary energy with Irish roots.
Eve
Both are minimal, powerful names that need no embellishment.
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Names that sound like ClaireIf you love Claire, you might love these names with a similar sound, rhythm or feel.
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Names that combine with ClaireSibling pairings that share the timeless, classic energy of Claire.
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Middle names for ClaireThe right middle name turns Claire into a complete story. Explore options for first-and-middle pairings, then last-name flow.
Want a personalised middle name for Claire? Try our dedicated generator with 1,000+ pairings.
♡ Generate middle name for Claire →✦
Numerology life path calculatorEnter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.
First name
Middle name (optional)
Last name
Date of birth
7
Life path number
How we calculated this
Claire is a beautiful choice.
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