Boy · 26th of 7,545
Clarence
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
305,304
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1921
Peak Popularity Year
7,367
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Clarence stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Clarence has its origins in Latin, meaning 'bright' or 'clear'. It evolved through various forms, including Clara and Clarens, before becoming popular as Clarence in the 19th century due to its noble associations. The name carries traits of wisdom and dignity, with no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈklær.əns/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Clarence is derived from the Latin name 'Clara', which means 'bright' or 'clear'. It was popularized in the 18th century by the title Duke of Clarence.
Meaning
bright, clear
Language Evolution
Clara, Clarens, Clarence
Historical Usage
The name Clarence became popular in the 19th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, due to its association with nobility and literature.
Variants & Derivatives
Clare, Clarence, Clara
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Clarence is viewed as a classic name that has an old-fashioned charm, often associated with wisdom and dignity.
Famous People
Clarence Thomas, Clarence Birdseye, Clarence Carter
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 7,367 peak births in 1921
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in West Virginia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 26th of 7545 | 116,063 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 50th of 6773 | 75,998 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 121st of 7552 | 54,234 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 207th of 10718 | 18,953 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 360th of 16616 | 10,016 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 753rd of 24088 | 4,200 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1245th of 23106 | 1,837 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1265th of 9107 | 653 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1492nd of 9204 | 499 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2677th of 12526 | 342 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4342nd of 19264 | 214 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 11400th of 27321 | 75 |