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Clarice Girl

Popularity: #890 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

Pronunciationklah-REES / /kləˈriːs/

Latin; French

Meaning

Latin: bright; French: clear

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Clarice has its roots in the Latin name "Clara," which means "clear," "bright," or "famous." The transition from Clara to Clarice occurred through the influence of the French language, where the diminutive form "Clarice" emerged during the medieval period. This evolution reflects the common practice of creating affectionate or diminutive forms of names in various cultures, particularly in Romance languages. The name made its way into English usage primarily through the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Latin-derived names were introduced into the English lexicon.

Historically, the name Clara has been associated with several notable figures, including Saint Clara of Assisi, who was a follower of Saint Francis and founded the Order of Poor Ladies in the 13th century. Her influence contributed to the name's popularity in Christian contexts, particularly in medieval Europe. The name Clarice itself gained further recognition through literary works, such as in the 20th century with the character Clarice Starling from Thomas Harris's novel "The Silence of the Lambs," published in 1988. This character's portrayal in film and literature has left a lasting cultural impact, though it is important to note that the name's historical significance predates these modern associations.

Culturally, the name Clarice has been imbued with connotations of clarity and brightness, reflecting its Latin origins. This symbolic resonance has contributed to its endurance across various cultures and languages. The name is often associated with qualities such as intelligence and insight, which align with its etymological roots. In addition to its primary form, the name Clara remains a closely related variant that has also maintained its presence in various cultures, further illustrating the name's historical and cultural significance.

Trend Summary

Clarice has experienced fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable increase in usage during the early 20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Clara
  • Clarissa

International Variants

  • Clara (Spanish)
  • Clara (Italian)
  • Clarisse (French)

Famous people named Clarice

Clarice Lispector is a Brazilian novelist and short story writer best known for The Hour of the Star, The Passion According to G.H., and The Chandelier.

Clarice Beckett is an Australian painter best known for her landscapes and still life works.

Clarice Taylor is an actress best known for her roles in The Cosby Show, The Last Dragon, and The New Adventures of Old Christine.

Fictional characters named Clarice

Clarice Starling is a fictional character from the novel and film The Silence of the Lambs. She is an FBI trainee who seeks the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecter to catch a serial killer.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Clarice was first seen in the United States in 1880. Clarice has ranked as high as #455 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in California, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Clarice has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Clarice (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 8
53%
TX 7
47%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18809
18818
18828
188310
188418
188519
188619
188710
188819
188930
189022
189128
189232
189353
189463
189551
189684
189766
189869
189979
1900113
1901107
1902120
190382
190498
1905114
1906136
1907138
1908141
1909149
1910182
1911194
1912254
1913319
1914300
1915470
1916484
1917491
1918548
1919542
1920553
1921600
1922533
1923530
1924554
1925594
1926536
1927581
1928568
1929547
1930536
1931508
1932460
1933435
1934439
1935398
1936393
1937371
1938352
1939332
1940309
1941325
1942363
1943274
1944265
1945209
1946246
1947262
1948253
1949255
1950243
1951225
1952274
1953269
1954253
1955248
1956208
1957219
1958218
1959167
1960168
1961135
1962141
1963102
1964119
1965106
1966102
196787
196887
196976
197079
197181
197279
197374
197460
197593
1976142
197799
197881
197982
198074
198189
1982102
198368
198484
198564
198682
198779
198883
198963
199070
199188
199283
199384
199466
199570
199673
199780
199860
199979
200070
2001116
200291
200375
200469
200569
200649
200762
200847
200939
201035
201137
201237
201337
201451
201542
201643
201750
201848
201940
202035
202145
202232
202324
202460