Save Gender Feminine Usage English, German, French, Literature Pronounced Pron. KLAY-ə(English) KLEE-ə(English) KLE-ah(German) [key·IPA] Other Forms FormsCléa Meaning & History Latinate form of Cleo apparently coined by British novelist Lawrence Durrell for a character in his 'Alexandria Quartet'. A known bearer is American actress Clea DuVall (1977-).