Claudia

Claudia is the feminine form of the Roman family name Claudius. It is traditionally connected with Latin claudus, meaning “lame,” although an ancient family name is more than a description of any person who bears it today. Claudia also appears in the New Testament, in the greetings near the end of the Second Letter to Timothy.

Its long history has produced familiar forms across several European languages, including Klaudia, Claudine, and Claudette. Pronunciation varies: some families use an English “claw” opening, while others use a sound closer to “clow.” Actress Claudia Cardinale and model Claudia Schiffer are well-known bearers. For parents, the appeal may lie in that established international history and clear, substantial sound rather than in the traditional literal gloss.