Claire
French form of Clara
“bright, clear”
Mostly girls · Hebrew
“my father is joyful”
Say it AB-ih-gaylPronunciation may vary by region.
A little maybe, saved for later.
The story behind the name
Abigail comes from Hebrew Avigail and is traditionally interpreted as my father is joy. Its biblical bearer is Abigail, a woman associated with wisdom who becomes a wife of David.
Abby and Abbie are familiar short forms, while the full name keeps its three-syllable rhythm. The English ending is pronounced like gale, a useful detail when moving between the written name and spoken introductions.
A little perspective
Recorded US births over time
| Year | Category | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 41 | 4,941 |
| 2024 | Girls | 32 | 5,535 |
| 2023 | Boys | 8,266 | 9 |
| 2023 | Girls | 31 | 5,687 |
| 2022 | Boys | 10,885 | 6 |
| 2022 | Girls | 24 | 6,306 |
| 2021 | Boys | 10,816 | 6 |
| 2021 | Girls | 17 | 6,993 |
| 2020 | Girls | 12 | 7,917 |
| 2019 | Boys | 7,178 | 11 |
| 2019 | Girls | 11 | 9,196 |
| 2018 | Boys | 6,352 | 13 |
| 2018 | Girls | 11 | 9,879 |
| 2017 | Boys | 10,790 | 6 |
| 2017 | Girls | 10 | 10,645 |
| 2016 | Boys | 7,609 | 10 |
| 2016 | Girls | 8 | 11,796 |
| 2015 | Boys | 7,496 | 10 |
| 2015 | Girls | 7 | 12,422 |
| 2014 | Boys | 6,312 | 13 |
| 2014 | Girls | 8 | 12,114 |
Rankings are calculated separately for boys and girls. Records below the publication threshold may be missing; gaps are not zero births.
Keep the possibilities coming
More names with a similar feeling or shared roots.
French form of Clara
“bright, clear”
Hebrew
“pledged to God”
Feminine variation of Emil, Latin
“rival”
Hebrew
“grace”
Hebrew
“Traditionally weary; derivation uncertain”
English from Latin
“lily; pledged to God”