Clea Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KLEE-uh //ˈkliːə//
Origin: Greek; Latin
Meaning: Greek: 'glory'; Latin: 'clear'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Clea has its roots in ancient Greek, derived from the word "kleos," meaning "glory" or "fame." This etymological lineage reflects a connection to the concept of renown, which was highly valued in ancient cultures. The name likely evolved through various forms in Greek literature and mythology, where it was associated with figures embodying these ideals.
In the context of the Greek language, Clea can also be linked to the word "kleia," which means "to make famous" or "to celebrate." The transition into English occurred through the influence of classical texts and the Renaissance revival of interest in ancient Greek culture, leading to its adoption in various forms across Europe. Historically, the name Clea has been associated with notable figures in ancient history and literature.
One such figure is Clea, a character in the works of the Greek playwright Euripides, who lived in the 5th century BCE. Additionally, the name has connections to the Cleo family of names, such as Cleopatra, which has been prominent in historical narratives, particularly concerning the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Cleopatra VII, who reigned in the 1st century BCE.
The name's presence in classical texts and its association with significant historical figures contributed to its endurance through the centuries. Culturally, Clea embodies themes of fame and glory, resonating with the ideals of heroism and achievement that were prevalent in ancient Greek society.
This connection to glory has allowed the name to maintain a certain timelessness, as it evokes a sense of admiration and respect. The name's simplicity and elegance have also made it appealing across various cultures, leading to its use in different forms and variations.
While Clea itself may not have extensive historical documentation in later periods, its roots in classical antiquity and the values it represents have contributed to its lasting significance.
Famous people named Clea
In this section, you will find notable people named Clea. 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 Clea who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Clea 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.
Clea DuVall is an actress and director best known for But I'm a Cheerleader, The Faculty, and The Grudge.
Clea Roberts is a professional golfer best known for competing in the LPGA Tour.
Fictional characters named Clea
The following list of fictional characters named Clea 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.
Clea is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe. She is a powerful sorceress and a key ally of Doctor Strange, often involved in mystical battles and adventures.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Clea, 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 Clea. 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 Clea was first seen in the United States in 1914.
Clea has ranked as high as #1367 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, New York, and Utah.
In the past 5 years the name Clea has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Clea 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 Clea was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Clea (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
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 Clea.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2006 | 18 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2002 | 17 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2000 | 16 |
| 1999 | 13 |
| 1998 | 14 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 1994 | 7 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1991 | 7 |
| 1990 | 12 |
| 1989 | 6 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1987 | 7 |
| 1985 | 8 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1982 | 12 |
| 1981 | 9 |
| 1980 | 7 |
| 1979 | 6 |
| 1978 | 11 |
| 1977 | 6 |
| 1976 | 8 |
| 1975 | 9 |
| 1972 | 9 |
| 1971 | 8 |
| 1969 | 12 |
| 1968 | 7 |
| 1965 | 13 |
| 1964 | 8 |
| 1963 | 13 |
| 1962 | 8 |
| 1961 | 7 |
| 1959 | 5 |
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1951 | 6 |
| 1949 | 5 |
| 1947 | 6 |
| 1944 | 6 |
| 1938 | 6 |
| 1936 | 9 |
| 1933 | 7 |
| 1932 | 5 |
| 1931 | 6 |
| 1929 | 6 |
| 1927 | 10 |
| 1926 | 7 |
| 1925 | 11 |
| 1924 | 8 |
| 1921 | 7 |
| 1920 | 7 |
| 1919 | 7 |
| 1918 | 7 |
| 1916 | 7 |
| 1915 | 8 |
| 1914 | 6 |