Clara \c-la-ra\ as a girl's name is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Clara is "bright, famous". Post-classical name from the feminine form of the adjective "clarus". In the modern English-speaking world, it represents a re-Latinization of the normal English form Clare. Made famous in the 1920s by the silent film actress Clara Bow, known as "the It girl", because whatever "it" was, she had it.

Clara has 13 variant forms: Clarabelle, Claretha, Claribel, Clarice, Clarie, Clarinda, Clarine, Clarita, Claritza, Clarrie, Clarry, Klara and Klarra.

For more information, see also related names Chiara, Claire, Claramae and Clarissa.

Baby names that sound like Clara are Cliara, Clary and Clari.