Clarice is a feminine given name of Latin origin. Its meaning is "bright" or "clear." The name comes from the Late Latin word "clarus," which means "famous" or "clear."
The name Clarice was popularized by the Italian Renaissance poet Petrarch, who wrote about a woman named Laura in his collection of sonnets known as "Canzoniere." Although it is not clear whether Laura was a real person or a fictional character, her name became associated with beauty and elegance due to Petrarch's poems. Clarice is often seen as a variant of the name Clara, which has similar meaning and origin.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Clarice. One famous example is Clarice Lispector, a Brazilian author known for her innovative and experimental writing style. Born in 1920, she wrote numerous works that explored themes such as identity, sexuality, and death.
In popular culture, Clarice is also associated with the character Clarice Starling from the film "The Silence of the Lambs." Portrayed by Jodie Foster, Clarice is a young FBI trainee who seeks help from Dr. Hannibal Lecter to catch another serial killer. Although not based on any real person, this fictional character has contributed to the name Clarice being recognizable in modern times.
Overall, Clarice is an elegant and timeless name with Latin roots and a rich history behind it. Its meaning of "bright" or "clear" can be seen as symbolic of intelligence, clarity, and elegance. Despite not being as commonly used today compared to other names like Clara or Claire, Clarice remains a beautiful option for parents looking for a unique yet meaningful name for their daughter.
The statistics provided show the number of births for the name Clarice in the United States each year from 1911 to 1936. The highest number of births recorded was in 1927, with a total of 12 newborn girls named Clarice that year. However, there were only five births recorded for this name in both 1911 and 1913, suggesting that the popularity of the name may have increased over time.
The overall total number of births for the name Clarice during this period is 96, indicating that while it was not one of the most popular names during these years, there were still a significant number of newborn girls given this name. It's interesting to note that the popularity of the name seems to have fluctuated over the two decades, with peaks in the mid-1920s and early 1930s, but no clear overall trend towards increased or decreased usage.
Overall, these statistics provide a snapshot of the popularity of the name Clarice during this specific time period in the United States. They can be used to gain insights into naming trends and patterns during the early 20th century.