What does Clara mean?
From the Latin clarus, “bright” or “clear.” Saint Clare of Assisi carried the name.
What does Stella mean?
Stella is the Latin word for “star.” It was coined as a given name by the poet Sir Philip Sidney in the 16th century.
Clara vs Stella
Which is more popular?
Stella is more popular than Clara today: about 4,136 US babies were given the name Stella in 2025, compared with 3,601 named Clara.
| Clara | Stella | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Bright, clear | Star |
| Origin | Latin | Latin |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KLAIR-uh | STEL-uh |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1918 (5,778) | 2018 (5,164) |
| In 2025 | 3,601 | 4,136 |
| Trend | Rising | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Clara
Stella
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Clara | Stella |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 17,277 | 27,117 |
| 2010s | 26,657 | 44,225 |
| 2000s | 12,789 | 11,843 |
| 1990s | 6,266 | 1,798 |
| 1980s | 3,668 | 1,867 |
| 1970s | 3,290 | 2,563 |
| 1960s | 6,505 | 4,957 |
| 1950s | 12,768 | 8,591 |
| 1940s | 20,028 | 11,363 |
| 1930s | 31,658 | 11,206 |
| 1920s | 48,183 | 25,899 |
| 1910s | 44,346 | 28,526 |
| 1900s | 23,899 | 11,014 |
| 1890s | 25,473 | 9,807 |
| 1880s | 17,717 | 6,130 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Clara or Stella more popular?
Stella is more popular than Clara today: about 4,136 US babies were given the name Stella in 2025, compared with 3,601 named Clara.
What is the difference between Clara and Stella?
Clara means Bright, clear (Latin origin), while Stella means Star (Latin origin).
Which name is older, Clara or Stella?
In US records, Clara first appears in 1880 and Stella in 1880, so Clara has the longer recorded history.