Clara — Dog Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
Clara (KLAH-rah), 2 syllables — From Latin, meaning 'bright' or 'clear.'. Verified by the Pets In The City editorial team, with real popularity data from our Auckland community.
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What does Clara mean?
Latin: From Latin, meaning 'bright' or 'clear.'. Clara is derived from the Latin word 'clarus,' meaning 'bright' or 'clear,' often associated with clarity and brightness.
Our editors checked this meaning before publishing. Names with several genuine origins are shown as separate senses rather than a single claim.
Is Clara a good dog name?
Clara has not been formally rated for calling yet. As a rule of thumb, one or two clear syllables work best for recall. With 2 syllables, it is quick to say — a practical length for recall.
Before you commit, say it out loud a few times and check it does not clash with a household name or a training cue like "sit" or "no".
Clara popularity in the Pets In The City community
Clara ranks #123 all-time in the Pets In The City community, carried by about 0.1 in every 1,000 dogs we care for (5 dogs). Its recent trend is insufficient data.
Popularity comes from anonymised, aggregated records of dogs at our 5 Auckland centres, as of 2026-08-01. It reflects our community, not a national census.
What kind of dog does Clara suit?
It is most often used for girl dogs in our community. Owners often pick Clara for its classic, elegant feel. Treat these as suggestions — plenty of dogs happily wear names that break every rule.
What the Playgroup Will Assume About Clara
Our entirely unscientific pack opinion.
The other dogs at the Dog Hotel are buzzing about Clara. "I hear she’s a toy expert!" "Great, I hope she can finally explain how the squeaky ones get their squeak!"
Names similar to Clara
- Adline — A variant of the name Adeline, meaning 'noble'.
- Afreen — Means 'noble' or 'intelligent' in Arabic.
- Aislinn — Dream or vision in Irish.
- Aiza — Of Arabic origin meaning 'noble' or 'respected'.
- Althia — Meaning 'healer' in Greek.
- Ambrose — Divine; immortal.
- Amreen — A name of Arabic origin meaning 'prosperous'.
- Anaise — Of French origin, meaning 'grace'.
Collections featuring Clara
See all curated collections.
Like Clara? Find names that fit your dog
The Dog Name Matchmaker learns your taste and picks eight names that suit your dog's character — each with a reason it fits.
Naming a new puppy?
A great name is step one. Step two is a great start: our force-free puppy training classes build confidence and recall (that new name gets a workout). New to Pets In The City? Register your dog for a temperament assessment and meet the pack.
By the numbers
- 2 syllables — quick to call
- Ranked #123 of all names in our Auckland community
- About 0.1 in every 1,000 PITC dogs are called Clara
- Meaning and pronunciation verified by our editors
- Data from 5 Auckland Pets In The City centres
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