Claire

Claire, luminous, simple, and strong, with a barely distinguishable French accent, is one of those special names that is familiar yet distinctive, feminine but not frilly, combining historical depth with a modern edge. And though Claire is enjoying revived popularity--it now ranks at Number 50--its highest ever-- it will never be seen as trendy. Claire is also a great middle name choice.

Claire is usually seen as the French spelling of the name, while the equally appropriate Clare is English and Clair is, well...that's French too. Clara, long seen as a stuffier version, has lately gained some fashion edge, primarily because it has more vintage charm and is more unusual. The Italian Chiara is another recommended choice.

Famous women named Claire include the medieval Saint Clare of Assisi (who was made the patron saint of television in 1958 because of her reputed power to see events at a distance), writer Clare Booth Luce, silent screen siren Clara Bow, and actresses Claire Bloom and more recently Claire Danes.

There have been countless fictional Claires as well, including ideal mom Clair Huxtable, Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club, and characters in Heroes, Lost, Six Feet Under, Modern Family and the Outlander series.