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