Claire is a feminine given name of French origin. Its meaning is "clear" or "bright," which is derived from the French word "clair." This name has been popular for centuries and has been used in many different cultures, including English-speaking countries.
The use of Claire as a given name can be traced back to the Middle Ages in France. During this time, it was often used as a nickname or diminutive form of names such as Clara, which means "clear" or "bright." In some cases, Claire may have also been used as a variant spelling of Clare, another name with similar meaning.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Claire. One example is French writer and philosopher Voltaire, whose real name was François-Marie Arouet but who was known by his pen name Voltaire, which means "clear" in French. Another famous Claire is the French actress Claire Danes, best known for her roles in films such as Romeo + Juliet and TV series like My So-Called Life.
Today, Claire remains a popular given name around the world. Its simple yet elegant sound has made it a favorite among parents looking for a classic yet modern name for their daughters. The meaning of "clear" or "bright" also makes it an attractive choice for those wanting to give their child a positive and optimistic name. Overall, Claire is a timeless and enduring name that continues to be beloved by many.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends related to the number of births given the name Claire in the United States.
From 1880 to approximately 1965, there was a steady increase in the number of girls named Claire at birth each year. The most significant jumps occurred between 1885 and 1887, with an increase from 49 births to 73 births, and then again from 1890 to 1892, with an increase from 72 births to 86 births.
However, starting around 1965, the number of births given the name Claire began to decline steadily. This trend continued until around 2006, during which time the number of annual births named Claire dropped from approximately 390 births in 1967 to less than 100 births in some years between 1984 and 1995.
Interestingly, after reaching a low point in the late 1990s, the popularity of the name Claire began to rebound. Between 2006 and 2023, the number of annual births named Claire increased significantly, from around 400 births in 2006 to over 3,000 births in some years between 2009 and 2017.
Overall, based on these statistics, we can see that while the name Claire experienced periods of decline in popularity throughout the late 20th century, it has seen a resurgence in recent years, with a significant increase in the number of girls named Claire at birth since around 2006.