Clarke
Clarke is a given name that originated as a transferred use of the surname Clarke. It has been used as a given name since the 1600s. The names Clark and Clarke, along with their spelling variations, have been influenced by well-known figures such as Clark Gable.
Meaning & Origin of Clarke
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Clarke is a given name that originated as a transferred use of the surname Clarke. It has been used as a given name since the 1600s. The names Clark and Clarke, along with their spelling variations, have been influenced by well-known figures such as Clark Gable.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
The Story of Clarke
As a girl name
The earliest SSA record of Clarke as a girl name dates back to 1991, when 22 babies received it. 2021 was its biggest year on record, with 152 newborns named Clarke — #1,419 in the national rankings. The 2020s were its strongest decade, accounting for roughly 50% of all recorded Clarkes. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #1,871 among girl names with 107 births, holding steady (+0%). In total, more than 2K Clarkes have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1990s through the 2020s.
As a boy name
The earliest SSA record of Clarke as a boy name dates back to 1880, when 6 babies received it. 1947 was its biggest year on record, with 61 newborns named Clarke — #889 in the national rankings. In the latest 2026 data it stands at #3,906 among boy names with 28 births, falling sharply (-28%). In total, more than 4K Clarkes have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 1880s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Notable people named Clarke
A small selection from Wikipedia. Tap "Read more" below to see the full list on Wikipedia.
- Clarke Abel ( c. 1789 – 1826), British surgeon and naturalist
- Clarke W. Brown (died 1956), American politician
- Clarke Carlisle (born 1979), English footballer
- Clarke Dermody (born 1980), New Zealand rugby union footballer
- Clarke Fraser (1920–2014), Canadian medical geneticist
- Clarke Hinkle (1909–1988), American National Football League player
- Clarke Hogan (born 1969), American politician
- Clarke Howard Johnson (1851–1930), justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
Names that sound like Clarke
Phonetically similar names — useful when Clarke is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Clarke
What does the name Clarke mean?
How popular is Clarke in 2026?
When was Clarke most popular?
In which U.S. states is Clarke most popular?
Is Clarke a unisex name?
What names go well with Clarke?
About the name Clarke
Clarke is a unisex baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 1880 and has accumulated 4K births in the dataset. Clarke's peak popularity came in 1947 when it ranked #809. Use the chart and map above to compare Clarke's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 1947 →
- Names of the 1940s →
- Names starting with "C" →
- Browse all boy names →
- Top names of 2026 →
- Browse unisex names →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.