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Claudia

♀ Girl

Pronounced KLAW-dee-uh /ˈklɔː.di.ə/High

Meaning: Of the Claudian clan; from Latin Claudius, the Roman family name, possibly from claudus (lame)High

In 30 seconds: The feminine of the ancient Roman family name Claudius, possibly meaning 'lame' from Latin claudus. The gens Claudia was one of Rome's most powerful families, including emperors Claudius and Nero.

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Origin HighLatin

MeaningOf the Claudian clan; from Latin Claudius, the Roman family name, possibly from claudus (lame)

U.S. rank (2025)#1096 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births219 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1952

Total births (all-time)≈ 128,312

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Claudia is the feminine of the Roman family name Claudius, from claudus (lame), though this etymology is debated. The gens Claudia was one of Rome's most prominent patrician families. Claudia appears in the New Testament as the name of a Christian woman who sent greetings in 2 Timothy.

Claudia has been used continuously since Roman times. In the U.S. it was moderately popular in the mid-20th century and remains in use, ranking #1090 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Emperor Claudius (10 BCE–54 CE) was said to have had a limp — and the Roman family name Claudius, possibly derived from claudus (lame), may refer to an ancestor with the same trait. So Claudia's meaning is literally engraved in imperial Roman history.

Overall data confidence 87%

Behind the Name — Claudia — Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ClaudieClaudine

Nicknames

ClaudieCleoClaudi

Famous Bearers

★Claudia Cardinale (1938–2025)
Italian actress, one of the celebrated European stars of the 1960s, known for The Leopard and Once Upon a Time in the West.

If you like Claudia…

Chloe— Greek/Roman three-syllable feminine name with the same classical feel

Virginia— Latin feminine name from another great Roman family

Antonia— Roman feminine name with the same imperial heritage

Cecilia— Latin Christian feminine name with the same classical resonance

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Claudia mean?

Claudia is the feminine of the Roman family name Claudius, possibly from Latin claudus (lame), though the etymology is debated.

How do you pronounce Claudia?

It's said KLAW-dee-uh — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Claudia a boy or girl name?

Claudia is the feminine form; Claudius is masculine.

How popular is Claudia?

Claudia ranked #1090 for U.S. girls in 2024.