Claire in Chinese
Claire in Chinese is 克莱尔 (Kè Lái Ěr).
- Origin
- Latin/French
- Meaning
- clear, bright
Etymologically, Claire is Latin/French and is commonly glossed as "clear, bright". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2010s.
3 ways to write Claire
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
克莱尔
Kè Lái Ěr
The standard transliteration of Claire: 克 (kè, "to overcome; gram"), 莱 (lái, "goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')"), 尔 (ěr, "you (classical); phonetic 'r/l'"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 克 kè + 莱 lái + 尔 ěr. The tone contour is 4-2-3 (falling, rising, dipping).
Character breakdown
22 strokes total (simplified)- 克
kè
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to overcome; gram
- 莱
lái
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')
- 尔
ěr
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
you (classical); phonetic 'r/l'
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
素心
Sù Xīn
Inspired by "clear, bright": 素 (sù, "plain, simple, pure") + 心 (xīn, "heart, mind"), expressing purity and clarity.
Why these characters?
The idea of "clear" behind Claire is rendered by 素, "plain, simple, pure"; 心, "heart, mind", completes it.
Character breakdown
14 strokes total (simplified)- 素
sù
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
plain, simple, pure
- 心
xīn
Tone 1 · 4 strokes (simplified)
heart, mind
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
珂莹
Kē Yíng
珂 (kē, "jade-like stone") + 莹 (yíng, "lustrous, gem-like"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
珂 (kē) sounds close to the opening "clair" of Claire (compare 克 kè) but means "jade-like stone"; 莹 adds "lustrous, gem-like".
Character breakdown
20 strokes total (simplified)- 珂
kē
Tone 1 · 9 strokes (simplified)
jade-like stone
- 莹
yíng
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
lustrous, gem-like
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Claire
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Claire ranked 66 among names recorded for girls, with 20,945 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 182,353 girls named Claire since 1880, with the high point in 2016 (5,207 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #158 to #49 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2016
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 182,353
More About Claire in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Claire offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Claire, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Molly in Chinese, Madeline in Chinese, and Addison in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Zoe in Chinese, Lindsay in Chinese, and Christine in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Claire, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Claire to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Claire translated into Chinese?
克莱尔 (Kè Lái Ěr), or 克萊爾 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 克莱尔 have?
22 strokes in simplified form and 32 in traditional; per character: 克 7, 莱 10, 尔 5.
How popular is the name Claire?
US Social Security records show 182,353 girls named Claire since 1880, with the high point in 2016 (5,207 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #158 to #49 among girls.