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Home › Baby Names Directory › Clea

Clea

♀ Girl

Pronounced KLEE-ah /ˈkli.ɑ/Medium

Meaning: A short form of Cleopatra/Clea — from Greek kleos, 'glory, fame' (Cleopatra, 'glory of the father')Medium

In 30 seconds: Glory: Clea is a short form of Cleo/Cleopatra — 'glory, fame'. Crisp, soft, and warm.
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Origin MediumGreek
MeaningA short form of Cleopatra/Clea — from Greek kleos, 'glory, fame' (Cleopatra, 'glory of the father')
U.S. rank (2024)#5315 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births24 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 795

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219142024

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

Clea is a short form of Cleopatra or Cleo — from Greek kleos, 'glory, fame' (Cleopatra, 'glory of the father'; Plutarch addressed a priestess named Clea). A crisp, soft, modern name (a heroine of Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet); said 'KLEE-ah'.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, glory at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Cleopatra means 'glory of the father' (Greek kleos, 'glory', plus pater, 'father') — Clea is a soft, crisp short form (a heroine of Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet).
Overall data confidence 65%
Behind the Name — Cleo — root etymology

Variations

CleoClioCleah

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Clea…

Cleo— a fellow Cleo- short form
Thea— a companion short Greek girls' name
Lea— another short -ea girls' name
Drea— shares the -ea ending
Rhea— another Greek name

Explore names like Clea

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Clea mean?

Clea is a short form of Cleo/Cleopatra — Greek 'glory, fame'.

How do you pronounce Clea?

It's said KLEE-ah /ˈkli.ɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Clea a boy or girl name?

Clea is a girl's name.

How popular is Clea?

Clea is a rare name in the U.S.

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