What does Clara mean?
From the Latin clarus, “bright” or “clear.” Saint Clare of Assisi carried the name.
What does Lucy mean?
From the Latin lux, “light.” Saint Lucy is associated with light and sight.
Clara vs Lucy
Which is more popular?
Lucy is more popular than Clara today: about 6,176 US babies were given the name Lucy in 2025, compared with 3,601 named Clara.
| Clara | Lucy | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Bright, clear | Light |
| Origin | Latin | Latin |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KLAIR-uh | LOO-see |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1918 (5,778) | 2025 (6,176) |
| In 2025 | 3,601 | 6,176 |
| Trend | Rising | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Clara
Lucy
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Clara | Lucy |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 17,277 | 29,759 |
| 2010s | 26,657 | 42,024 |
| 2000s | 12,789 | 19,399 |
| 1990s | 6,266 | 6,090 |
| 1980s | 3,668 | 4,727 |
| 1970s | 3,290 | 3,700 |
| 1960s | 6,505 | 8,671 |
| 1950s | 12,768 | 13,644 |
| 1940s | 20,028 | 13,128 |
| 1930s | 31,658 | 16,413 |
| 1920s | 48,183 | 27,434 |
| 1910s | 44,346 | 23,117 |
| 1900s | 23,899 | 11,020 |
| 1890s | 25,473 | 10,323 |
| 1880s | 17,717 | 7,520 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Clara or Lucy more popular?
Lucy is more popular than Clara today: about 6,176 US babies were given the name Lucy in 2025, compared with 3,601 named Clara.
What is the difference between Clara and Lucy?
Clara means Bright, clear (Latin origin), while Lucy means Light (Latin origin).
Which name is older, Clara or Lucy?
In US records, Clara first appears in 1880 and Lucy in 1880, so Clara has the longer recorded history.