Holding steady.
Popularity of Clair since 1880
Babies named Clair per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1923, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Clair's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 10 | 156 |
| 1890s | 57 | 295 |
| 1900s | 92 | 397 |
| 1910s | 246 | 2,212 |
| 1920s | 370 | 3,169 |
| 1930s | 290 | 2,319 |
| 1940s | 321 | 1,541 |
| 1950s | 376 | 1,061 |
| 1960s | 263 | 513 |
| 1970s | 206 | 199 |
| 1980s | 432 | 110 |
| 1990s | 536 | 42 |
| 2000s | 516 | 12 |
| 2010s | 433 | 10 |
| 2020s | 162 | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Clair is a name with French origins, derived from the Latin 'clarus' meaning clear or bright. Its usage peaked in 1913, when it reached its highest recorded popularity. The name has seen a stable but low usage since the mid-20th century, with first recorded instances dating back to 1880. While primarily used for boys, it is sometimes adopted for girls as a variant of Claire. Sibling names like Florence and Henry complement its classic, understated style.
Clair is derived from the Latin 'clarus', meaning clear, bright, or famous. It is the masculine form of the name Claire, which was popularized in France via the Latin name Clara. The name has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century, often as a variant of Clare or Claire.
Where Clair is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Clair
Names that share Clair's style, for a brother or sister.
