Clara is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It comes from the word "clarus," which means "clear" or "bright." The name Clara has been used throughout history and has been associated with notable figures.
One of the earliest known individuals named Clara was Saint Clare of Assisi, born Chiara Offreduccio in 1194. She is recognized as the foundress of the Poor Clares, an order of nuns that follow a simple and austere lifestyle inspired by the teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Another notable figure named Clara was Clara Barton, born Clarissa Harlowe Barton in 1821. She was an American humanitarian and nurse who founded the American Red Cross. Her bravery and compassion during the Civil War earned her the nickname "Angel of the Battlefield."
Clara has also been used as a surname throughout history. For example, the famous composer Robert Schumann was born into the Clara family, with his mother being Ernestine Clara Schumann.
In popular culture, Clara has been featured in various forms of media. One notable example is the ballet "The Nutcracker," composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, which features a character named Clara (also known as Masha or Marie, depending on the adaptation). Additionally, Clara Oswald is a companion of the Doctor in the British science fiction television series "Doctor Who."
Overall, the name Clara has been used throughout history and has been associated with notable figures who have made significant contributions to society. Its Latin origins give it a classic and elegant feel, while its simple pronunciation makes it accessible and friendly.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Clara in the United States from 1880 to 2019, we can observe several trends over time.
From 1880 to 1930, there were fluctuations in the number of births with the name Clara, ranging from a low of 5 births in certain years to a high of 32 births in 1930. The highest peak during this period occurred in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
After 1930, there was a significant decrease in the number of births with the name Clara. In the years between 1940 and 2006, the annual number of births with this name fluctuated between 5 and 11, with most years having fewer than 10 births.
However, there has been a slight resurgence in recent years. From 2006 to 2019, the number of births with the name Clara ranged from 5 to 7 each year, suggesting that this name is still being chosen for newborns today, albeit at a lower rate than in previous centuries.
In total, over the span of these 139 years, there were 1,016 births registered with the name Clara in the United States. This data provides insights into the popularity and trends of this particular name over time.