Character Name
Clara
Clara Clara resonates with the Latin ideal of claritas — brightness, renown, and moral transparency — a name that Saint Clare of Assisi charged with the additional meaning of radical clarity of purpose. In Victorian literature the name was frequently given to characters of uncomplicated goodness whose clarity of feeling cuts through the hypocrisies of the social world. It suits heroines who are underestimated precisely because their virtues read as simplicity.
Best genres for Clara
Famous characters named Clara
Clara
The Nutcracker — E.T.A. Hoffmann
The young girl whose Christmas gift of a nutcracker comes to life in Hoffmann's original fantasy tale, journeying into a world of magic and wonder.
Clara Peggotty
David Copperfield — Charles Dickens
The warm and devoted nurse who is David's earliest source of unconditional love and protection in Dickens's autobiographical novel.
Variations & nicknames
Pairs well with
Writing a character named Clara?
Hearth's distraction-free editor helps you develop characters and write every day.
More Latin names
Jaqueline
“A variant spelling of Jacqueline, the French feminine form of Jacques, itself the French form of James/Jacob. James derives from the Late Latin Jacomus, an alteration of Jacobus, from the Hebrew Yaakov meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel" — from the story of Jacob grasping Esau's heel at birth. Jacqueline became an aristocratic French name borne by queens and noblewomen.”
Adriana
“Adriana is the feminine form of Adriano/Adrian, derived from the Latin Hadrianus, referring to someone from the city of Hadria (modern Adria) in northern Italy, near the Adriatic Sea. The Adriatic's name itself may derive from the Illyrian or Venetic word adur meaning "water." The name became widespread in Slavic and Romance language countries through the influence of Pope Adrian I and the Roman Emperor Hadrian.”
Lisette
“A French diminutive of Élise or Élisabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheba meaning "my God is an oath" or "my God is abundance". The diminutive suffix -ette gives the name an intimate, affectionate quality typical of the French pet-name tradition. Lisette was a common name in eighteenth-century French literature and theater as a stock name for clever maidservants.”
Domingo
“The Spanish form of Dominic, from the Late Latin Dominicus meaning "of the Lord, belonging to the Lord", derived from dominus meaning "lord, master". The name was borne by Saint Dominic de Guzmán, the thirteenth-century Spanish founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). Domingo is also the Spanish word for Sunday, the Lord's day.”
Christian
“From the Latin Christianus, meaning "follower of Christ" or "one who belongs to Christ," derived from the Greek Christos ("anointed one"), which is itself a translation of the Hebrew Mashiach (Messiah). It began as a descriptive title for early Christians and gradually became a personal name throughout medieval Europe, used for both men and women.”
Lester
“From the English place name Leicester, itself from the Roman settlement Ligora Castra meaning "the Roman fort on the Ligore river". The element castra (military camp) reflects the Roman settlement pattern in Britain. The surname Lester, from Leicester, became a given name in the nineteenth century following the English tradition of using aristocratic surnames as first names.”
Explore more