Clair is a given name of French origin, derived from the Latin Clarus meaning "clear, bright, famous." It is a unisex name, though historically more common for men when spelled Clair, while the variant Claire is typically feminine. As a French form of Clarus, it is related to Clara. In English-speaking countries, Clair is sometimes considered a variant of Claire, which gained popularity in the 19th century. Etymology Clair traces back to the Late Latin name Clarus, borne by a few early saints. The name's meaning – "clear, bright, famous" – reflects positive attributes of clarity and renown. In French, the word clair also retains the sense of clarity or brightness, reinforcing the name's appealing connotations. Notable Bearers While many famous individuals go by Claire, the spelling Clair has distinguished figures such as Clair Cameron Patterson, an American geochemist who developed uranium-lead dating; Clair Engle, a U.S. Senator from California; and Clair Bee, a basketball coach and author. Fictional characters include Clair Abshire from the Gemini series of video games and Clair Clair, a blogger. The form Clair also appears in royalty: Princess Claire of Belgium (born 1974) & Princess Claire of Luxembourg (born 1985). Cultural Significance As a gender-neutral name, Clair offers flexibility. Its peak popularity for females in the UK occurred in the 1970s-80s when Claire charted high. However, Clair has traditionally been male in French contexts. The surname Saint Clair derives from a place name in France. Meaning: clear, bright, famous Origin: French (Latin via Clarus) Type: Unisex (commonly female in English) Usage: English, French Related forms: Claire, Clara, Chiara