Name Meaning & Legal Status · Germany
Clara Name: Meaning, Origin & Germany Legal Status
Showing legal status, local spelling and registration process for Germany specifically. Each of the 7 country pages for Clara contains different data — see the comparison table below.
🇩🇪 Clara — Approved in Germany
Clara is accepted as a baby name in Germany. Generally accepted under naming law, without special conditions.
How Clara compares across 7 European countries
Each row is a different country page for Clara. Your current page (🇩🇪 Germany) is highlighted. Click any other row to switch countries.
What does the name Clara mean?
The name Clara means "Bright, clear, famous". It is of Latin origin and is most commonly given to girls across Europe.
Pronunciation in German: KLAH-rah. Pronunciation varies slightly by region, but this is the form most commonly heard in Germany.
Is Clara approved in Germany? Clara is accepted as a baby name in Germany. Read on for the full origin, German spelling variants, popularity ranking, and the registration process at the Standesamt.
Origin
Latin
Meaning
Bright, clear, famous
Popularity in Germany
#24
German spelling
Clara
Authority
Standesamt
Deadline
7 days after birth
Is Clara approved in Germany?
Clara is accepted as a baby name in Germany. Generally accepted under naming law, without special conditions.
The name Clara: origin and meaning
Clara is a name of Latin origin, meaning "Bright, clear, famous". It has travelled across Europe for centuries — its earliest bearer in the Christian tradition is Saint Clare of Assisi (13th century, founder of the Poor Clares), and in modern times it has become widely recognised through cultural figures such as Clara Schumann (German pianist and composer), Clara Zetkin (founder of International Women's Day).
In Germany, Clara carries both Christian tradition — linked to Saint Clare of Assisi (13th century, founder of the Poor Clares) — and strong secular popularity, a combination that German registrars particularly value.
Popularity of Clara in Germany
Moderately popular: appears around #24 in the Germany top 30.
Our database covers approximately 9,200 names recorded in Germany. You can cross-check Clara against this full dataset — along with naming patterns in the 24 other European countries we track — using our free name checker.
German spelling and variants of Clara
In Germany, the name is most often written as Clara or Klara. Each variant is registered separately — the spelling on the birth certificate is final.
Naming rules in Germany
Germany regulates baby names through the Standesamt under the Personenstandsgesetz (PStG). Germany applies a moderate naming framework — there is no closed list, but registrars can refuse a name if it could harm the child, mislead about gender, or clash with surname conventions.
For the name Clara specifically: Generally accepted under naming law, without special conditions.
Deadline
7 days after birth
Processing
1-7 days
Fee
€10-€30 if disputed
Appeal to
Amtsgericht (local court)
How to verify before registering
- Use our free checker — verify Clara against our database of names actually registered in Germany.
- Call your local Standesamt — Registrars can confirm whether Clara has been accepted locally before you book the registration appointment. This is especially helpful when using a rare spelling.
- Bring supporting evidence — If the name is unusual, prepare documents: a parent's passport showing the same name, a prior birth certificate, or a reference to a historical/religious figure. This makes a difference if the case escalates.
- Read the full legal guide — See our complete article on baby name laws in Germany for the full legal background.
Similar girl names approved in Germany
If Clara is not exactly what you are looking for, these girl names share a similar European tradition and are commonly accepted in Germany:
Frequently asked questions about Clara
What does the name Clara mean?
Clara means "Bright, clear, famous". It is of Latin origin and is traditionally a girl's name. The name has been used across Europe for centuries and is associated with Saint Clare of Assisi (13th century, founder of the Poor Clares).
Is Clara legal to register as a baby name in Germany?
Yes. Clara is a well-established name in Germany and is accepted by the Standesamt under Personenstandsgesetz (PStG) without special requirements.
What is the German spelling of Clara?
The most common German forms are Clara, Klara. Accents and diacritics must be registered exactly as written on the birth certificate — they cannot be added later without a formal name change.
How long does it take to register Clara in Germany?
Standard registration at the Standesamt is normally processed in 1-7 days. Parents must register the birth within 7 days after birth. The standard fee is €10-€30 if disputed.
Check Clara across all 25 European countries
See where Clara is accepted — useful for multicultural families or anyone planning to live abroad.
Check Clara →Compare Clara with the other 6 European countries
The data for Clara is different in each country — different authority, different deadline, different local spelling. Open any of the 6 sibling pages below:
✅ Approved
See Clara in Spain →
✅ Approved
See Clara in France →
✅ Approved
See Clara in Italy →
⚠️ Check
See Clara in Portugal →
⚠️ Check
See Clara in Iceland →
✅ Approved
See Clara in Sweden →
Related resources
All approved names in Germany
Browse the full 9,200-name database
Top 30 names in Germany
See current popularity rankings
Baby Name Laws in Germany
Complete legal guide
How to register a baby name in Europe
Step-by-step cross-country guide
Last updated: May 2026. Information is provided for orientation only and does not constitute legal advice. Always confirm with the Standesamt.