Clary Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KLAR-ee //ˈklæri//
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: Latin: clear; English: derived from Clare
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Clary has its roots in the Latin name "Clarus," which means "clear" or "bright." This name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning from Latin to Old French as "Clair," before entering the English language. The adoption of Clary in English can be traced back to the medieval period, where it was often used as a surname before becoming recognized as a given name.
The Latin root reflects qualities of clarity and brightness, which have historically been associated with nobility and virtue. Historically, the name Clary has been linked to several notable figures and events.
One significant milestone is its association with Saint Clare of Assisi, who founded the Order of Poor Ladies in the 13th century. Her influence helped popularize variations of the name in Christian contexts, particularly in regions where Latin was the scholarly language.
Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and documents throughout the Middle Ages, often in connection with individuals of notable character or achievement. Culturally, Clary has resonated with themes of enlightenment and purity, often symbolizing a bright or noble spirit.
This connection to clarity and brightness has allowed the name to endure across generations. In literature, the name has occasionally appeared in works that emphasize these qualities, reinforcing its positive connotations.
While Clary may also have diminutive forms or variations, such as Clare or Clara, its historical significance remains anchored in its original Latin meaning and the cultural narratives that have surrounded it.
Famous people named Clary
In this section, you will find notable people named Clary. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Clary who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Clary who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Clary Fray is a fictional character best known for The Mortal Instruments series.
Clary Sage is a plant known for its use in aromatherapy and herbal medicine.
Fictional characters named Clary
The following list of fictional characters named Clary is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Clary Fray is a fictional character from the book series The Mortal Instruments. She is a Shadowhunter who discovers her heritage and fights against dark forces in a hidden world.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Clary, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Clary. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Clary was first seen in the United States in 1915.
Clary has ranked as high as #924 nationally, which occurred in 1943, and has been most popular in South Carolina.
In the past 5 years the name Clary has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Clary is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Clary was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Clary (1962)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| SC | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Clary.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1966 | 7 |
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1963 | 5 |
| 1962 | 8 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1954 | 9 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1951 | 5 |
| 1950 | 7 |
| 1948 | 5 |
| 1947 | 8 |
| 1946 | 7 |
| 1944 | 5 |
| 1943 | 15 |
| 1942 | 6 |
| 1941 | 5 |
| 1938 | 7 |
| 1937 | 5 |
| 1934 | 6 |
| 1930 | 6 |
| 1927 | 9 |
| 1924 | 8 |
| 1923 | 6 |
| 1921 | 5 |
| 1915 | 8 |