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Klara

Girl name · 132 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Klara: 132 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 17 births in 2023.

Klara is a Scandinavian and German form of Clara, ultimately from the Latin *clarus*, meaning “clear,” “bright,” or “famous.” Saint Clare of Assisi, the 13th-century founder of the Poor Clares, is the most iconic bearer—her name inspired the order and the Italian town of Santa Chiara. In the arts, Klara was the devoted wife of L. L. Zamenhof, creator of Esperanto, and a central character in the story of *The Nutcracker* (often rendered as Clara). The name also appears in place-names derived from its root, such as Santa Clara in California and Cuba. A notable variant is the Irish Clodagh, while Klara has maintained steady popularity across Central Europe and Scandinavia, often associated with clarity and intellect.