Clara

Origin and meaning of Clara

Clara comes from the Latin clarus, 'bright, clear, illustrious': a name that joins light to honoured renown. Widespread across Europe since antiquity and the Christian Middle Ages, it is common in Italy, Spain, Germany, France and the English-speaking world, with the Italian variant Chiara. It appeals for its sober elegance and transparent meaning. Clara Schumann, one of the greatest pianists of the nineteenth century, made it famous.

Variants around the world

How Clara sounds in other languages.

Famous people

• Clara Schumann— musician