German pianist and composer Clara Josephine Schumann passed away on May 20, 1896.
While Chopin, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and an array of other male composers are still the face of the Romantic era of music in history books, Schumann is and was regarded as one of the most distinguished and influential musicians of the time.
Clara was among the first pianists to play solely from memory, and her trailblazing turned this into the standard for concerts. She also revolutionized the programming of piano recitals, catalyzing a shift from the traditional standard of playing pieces that showed off technical skills to compositions emphasizing expression and emotion.
Clara is a Latin name meaning “bright” or “clear”. Along with Schumann, Clara’s namesakes include Red Cross founder Clara Barton, silent screen actress Clara Bow, and the protagonist of the ballet The Nutcracker.
A top pick in the Late 1800s, Clara had a resurgence of popularity starting in the 2010s. In 2024, it moved up yet again, from Number 98 in 2023 to 78 in 2024. This is a classic name with the potential to move a lot higher.
Clara is the girl Heidi encouraged to walk in the "Heidi" childrens' book series by Johanna Spyri.