Claire is a feminine given name of French origin, historically derived from the Latin clarus meaning "clear, bright, famous." It is the French form of Clara, which itself evolved from the Late Latin masculine name Clarus. The name spread across Europe through veneration of Saint Clare of Assisi (13th century), an Italian saint and follower of Saint Francis, who founded the Poor Clares. While Clara was the most common English spelling after the Middle Ages, Claire gained prominence in France and later influenced English-speaking countries. In France, Claire was a common name throughout the 20th century, though it has since been eclipsed by Clara. In the United Kingdom, Claire's popularity surged dramatically; in 1974 it became the second most popular female first name, and in 1984 it remained in the sixth position. By 1997, however, it had fallen out of the top 100 after a period of sharp declining usage. The spellings have gendered connotations: traditionally, Clair was considered masculine, while Claire is now the standard feminine form. Notable Bearers Many notable women bear the name Claire. Among actresses are Claire Bloom (British actress known for her Shakespearean roles), Claire Danes (American star of TV series Homeland), and Claire Foy (British actress who portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown). Also notable is Claire Trevor (American actress who won an Academy Award for Key Largo). In the realm of royal and aristocratic bearers: Princess Claire of Belgium (born 1974) is a British-Belgian land surveyor, and Princess Claire of Luxembourg (born 1985) is a member of the grand ducal family of Luxembourg and a bioethics researcher. In the world of sports, Claire Curneen (Irish netball player), Claire Delbos (American martial artist who competed in the 2004 World Kickboxing Championships), and Irish cyclist Claire Hammond (who competed in the Paralympics) represent the name. Added to these is Swedish judoka Claire Redelfs (competitor at the 2012 Olympics). Emerging singer Claire, known mononymously as an alternative indie pop Canadian artist signed to Audio Blood and released singles like "Jesse Writes" in 2009, broadens the name's representation in music as a solo performer featured in the indie genre. In politics, notable Claires include Claire Aubertin (French politician and Member of the European Parliament) and Claire Benjamin (Australian member of the House of Assembly). Others include Claire McCaskill (US Senator from Missouri) and Claire Perry (British Conservative Party politician). Fiona Claire Oliver o'Connell, a fictional character, appears as a veterinary assistant in New Zealand soap opera. The name also appears in minor but diverse references such as Claire Ball, a contender for Miss UK in 2009, perhaps benefiting from her stepfather's former star status and good turns on mainstages as screen sylvie. Additional trivia connect Claire French to the story of Jacques Saul, and various smaller roles include harp therapist