Claire has been one of the top 500 girl names in the U.S. since 1973, but it has been particularly popular for the past two decades. In 1998, it was ranked at No. 91, appearing in the top 100 for the first time. Since then it has continued to rise, peaking at No. 40 in 2016. The latest statistics show that Claire at the No. 57, among the top 100 names for girls in America. Although the name Claire is typically used as a girl name, it can be used any way you see fit, as sex does not have to be a part of your name selection process.

Similar Names

Alternate spellings are sometimes seen, such as Clair and Clare. A closely related name is Clara, a Latin-derived name that means “bright” or “clear” just as Claire does in French. The names Clarice and Clarissa are also derived from the same Latin root. More girl names starting with C:

CaitlinCameronCamilleCarlaCarolynCarrieCaseyCassandraCatherineChloeChristineCleoCoraCourtneyCrystalCynthia

More girl names derived from French:

AnnetteAudreyBrigitteCélineEliseGenevieveIsabelleJulietteMargotMichelleNicoleNoelleSimoneValerieVivienne

Suggested Sibling Names

Aiden Ava Daniel Emma Harper Isabella James Joseph Kiara Lucas Mia Noah Oliver Olivia Sophia

Famous People Named Claire

These are some of the most notable women with the name Claire:

Claire Adams, Canadian-born actress who was a star in the silent film eraClaire Baker, Scottish politician currently serving as a Member of the Scottish ParliamentClaire Bloom, English actress known for her roles in such films as “Limelight,” “A Doll’s House,” “Clash of the Titans,” and “The King’s Speech”Claire Boucher, Canadian musician known professionally as GrimesClaire Buffie, American photographer who made waves as a Miss America contestant by advocating for gay rightsClaire Calvert, English ballet dancer who is a first soloist at the Royal BalletClaire Coffee, American actress known for appearing in the NBC series “Grimm”Claire Coutinho, English politician who is a conservative Member of ParliamentClaire Cupples, Canadian microbiologistClaire Danes, American actress known for her roles in the TV series “My So-Called Life” and “Homeland”Claire Forlani, English actress known for her roles in the films “Mallrats,” “Basquiat,” and “Meet Joe Black”Claire Hodgkins, American virtuoso violinistClaire Holt, Australian actress known for her roles in “Pretty Little Liars” and “The Vampire Diaries”Claire McCardell, American fashion designer credited with the creation of American sportswearClaire McCaskill, American politician who formerly served as U.S. senator from MissouriClaire Sterling, American author and journalist whose work focused on political assassinations and terrorismClaire Sugden, Northern Irish politicianClaire Vallée, French chef whose restaurant was the first vegan establishment to win a Michelin starClaire Waldoff, German singer known for subversive cabaret performances in 1910s and 1920s BerlinClaire Ward, English politician who served as a Member of ParliamentClaire Saffitz, American food writer who was a contributing editor to “Bon Appétit” magazine and made popular appearances on its YouTube channel

Claire has also been a popular name for men:

Claire Alexander, Canadian ice hockey player who played for the Toronto Maple LeafsClaire Lee Chennault, American military aviator, known for leading the U.S. Air Force volunteer group nicknamed the “Flying Tigers”Claire E. Hutchin Jr, United States Army lieutenant generalClaire Egtvedt, American airplane designer and president of the Boeing company, known for developing the B-17 bomberClaire Konold, American politician who served in the South Dakota House of RepresentativesClaire L. Straith, American plastic surgeon who advocated for car safetyClaire Lawrence, Canadian musician who was a co-founder of the band The Collectors, which later was renamed Chilliwack

Spelled as “Clair”:

Clair Bee, American basketball coach and sports novelistClair George, veteran officer of the Central Intelligence AgencyClair Huffaker, American authorClair Cameron Patterson, American geochemist whose work led to a more accurate calculation of the age of the Earth

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