Rising since 1992, #5,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Clea since 1914
Babies named Clea per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 35 |
| 1920s | 56 |
| 1930s | 33 |
| 1940s | 17 |
| 1950s | 16 |
| 1960s | 68 |
| 1970s | 57 |
| 1980s | 74 |
| 1990s | 76 |
| 2000s | 133 |
| 2010s | 128 |
| 2020s | 122 |
Meaning & origin
Clea is a name that has been in use in the United States since at least 1914, but it has never been common. In 2025, it ranked 5,917 with an incidence of 1 in 80,363 births, reflecting its rarity. The name experienced a peak in popularity in 2022, and its trajectory has been steadily rising since 1992, suggesting a slow but consistent increase in appeal. The name is often linked to Cleopatra, giving it an ancient and literary resonance, though its modern usage is independent of that association. Clea's upward trend in recent decades may be partly attributed to its appearance in popular culture, but the name remains a distinctive choice.
Clea likely originated as a shortened form of Cleopatra, a Greek name meaning 'glory of the father'. It has also been used as a feminine form of the Latin Cleius. The name saw sporadic use in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, where it has been recorded since 1914. Its popularity has been rising since the 1990s, possibly influenced by its use as a character name in literature and film.
“Clea” around the world
Where Clea lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
235
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Clea
Names that share Clea's style, for a brother or sister.
