So let's talk about Claire's appearances and personality for a moment.
Specifically, she was in 2 and Code Veronica, and also the CGI movie Degeneration, and also Ali Larter my favorite actress ever played her in a couple movies, too. c:
^ her appearance in Degeneration.
I initially thought I didn't have an answer for this day's question, but I do.
While, yes, she has all the stereotypical traits you'd expect in a "strong protagonist" - she's strong-willed; confident, but not overly-so; determined; etc. And in her earlier appearances she's, clearly, much younger and more emotional with her encounters with the undead. But by her appearance in Degeneration, she's much more professional and 'mature'.
Even so, she's still very protective of the people around her, she's real quick to form an opinion on someone and make sure the people around her know about it, haha. And her main goal is almost always hunting down her brother. lol. 19-years-old and she breaks into Umbrella's Paris Lab Facility just to find Chris. There's some determination. :P
Also, just as importantly, she is adorable. There are so many great characters out there, but I dunno, I love how she's so over-protective and almost mothering of the kids she meets, and then she's all sarcastic and almost kinda rude to adults -- well, the good ones. The one she trusts, more or less. c: