An uncommon French pick — distinctive and rare.
A female given name from French.
Clair is a girl's and boy's baby name of French origin, from the Latin clarus, meaning 'clear,' 'bright,' or 'famous.' Saint Clare of Assisi — founder of the Order of Poor Ladies — carried the name in its Latin form, and it has been used throughout the French-speaking world since the medieval period.
Clair without the final -e feels slightly more minimal and modern than Claire, yet carries all of the same luminous meaning.
Clair has 119+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 10 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 12 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 42 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 110 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 199 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 513 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 1,061 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 1,541 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 2,319 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 3,169 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 2,212 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 397 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 295 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 156 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | #12397 |
| 2016 | 5 | #12559 |
| 2011 | 5 | #12632 |
| 2002 | 5 | #10963 |
| 2001 | 7 | #8467 |
| 1997 | 6 | #8313 |
| 1996 | 10 | #5602 |
| 1995 | 7 | #7121 |
| 1993 | 5 | #8946 |
| 1992 | 7 | #6783 |
| 1990 | 7 | #6530 |
| 1988 | 11 | #4211 |
| 1986 | 18 | #2796 |
| 1985 | 11 | #3841 |
| 1984 | 10 | #3973 |
| 1983 | 18 | #2594 |
| 1982 | 8 | #4665 |
| 1981 | 12 | #3454 |
| 1980 | 22 | #2292 |
| 1979 | 14 | #3036 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Though more common for boys, Clair has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 4,281 births since 1880.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2020) · Methodology