Clark Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: klark //klɑrk//
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: English: clerk; Latin: bright, clear
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Clark originates from the Old English term "clerc," which means "clerk" or "scholar." This term itself is derived from the Latin "clericus," referring to a clergyman or someone associated with the church, which evolved from the Greek "klerikos," meaning "of the clergy." The transition into English occurred during the early medieval period, as Latin was the dominant language of the church and education, influencing the vernacular languages of Europe. The name Clark thus embodies a historical connection to literacy and religious service, reflecting the importance of clerical roles in society.
Historically, the name Clark has been borne by various notable figures, particularly in medieval England, where it was often used as a surname before becoming a given name. The name appears in records as early as the 12th century, with individuals such as William Clark, a prominent figure in the 13th century.
The name gained further recognition through its association with clerical roles in the church and education, particularly during the Renaissance when scholarship flourished. Additionally, the name appears in historical texts, including the King James Bible, which was published in the early 17th century, further embedding it in the cultural and religious fabric of English-speaking societies.
Culturally, the name Clark has resonated through its associations with wisdom, learning, and service. It has been a common name among various professions, particularly in academia and the clergy, reinforcing its connotations of intellect and moral authority.
The name has also been linked to various diminutive forms, such as Clarke, which have appeared in historical records. Overall, Clark carries a legacy that reflects the value placed on education and religious service throughout history.
Famous people named Clark
In this section, you will find notable people named Clark. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Clark who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Clark who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Clark Gable is an actor best known for Gone with the Wind, It Happened One Night, and Mutiny on the Bounty.
Clark Kent is a fictional character best known as the alter ego of Superman in DC Comics.
Clark Gregg is an actor best known for The Avengers, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and The New Adventures of Old Christine.
Clark Terry is a jazz trumpeter and composer best known for his work with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Count Basie, and his collaborations with other jazz musicians.
Fictional characters named Clark
The following list of fictional characters named Clark is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Clark Kent is a fictional character from the DC Comics universe. He is the alter ego of Superman, a superhero known for his incredible strength and ability to fly.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Clark, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Clark. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Clark was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Clark has ranked as high as #549 nationally, which occurred in 1961, and has been most popular in California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Clark has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Clark is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Clark was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Clark (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 68 | |
| TX | 55 | |
| OH | 39 | |
| NY | 38 | |
| FL | 37 | |
| IL | 34 | |
| NC | 24 | |
| UT | 23 | |
| IN | 22 | |
| TN | 22 | |
| MI | 21 | |
| GA | 20 | |
| VA | 19 | |
| PA | 19 | |
| ID | 16 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Clark.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 725 |
| 2023 | 709 |
| 2022 | 729 |
| 2021 | 793 |
| 2020 | 792 |
| 2019 | 804 |
| 2018 | 855 |
| 2017 | 861 |
| 2016 | 867 |
| 2015 | 868 |
| 2014 | 814 |
| 2013 | 617 |
| 2012 | 473 |
| 2011 | 385 |
| 2010 | 335 |
| 2009 | 336 |
| 2008 | 341 |
| 2007 | 385 |
| 2006 | 323 |
| 2005 | 245 |
| 2004 | 262 |
| 2003 | 220 |
| 2002 | 211 |
| 2001 | 201 |
| 2000 | 218 |
| 1999 | 226 |
| 1998 | 222 |
| 1997 | 245 |
| 1996 | 261 |
| 1995 | 285 |
| 1994 | 268 |
| 1993 | 264 |
| 1992 | 276 |
| 1991 | 303 |
| 1990 | 342 |
| 1989 | 341 |
| 1988 | 319 |
| 1987 | 301 |
| 1986 | 316 |
| 1985 | 284 |
| 1984 | 302 |
| 1983 | 323 |
| 1982 | 305 |
| 1981 | 260 |
| 1980 | 262 |
| 1979 | 243 |
| 1978 | 214 |
| 1977 | 256 |
| 1976 | 197 |
| 1975 | 226 |
| 1974 | 197 |
| 1973 | 227 |
| 1972 | 273 |
| 1971 | 324 |
| 1970 | 381 |
| 1969 | 411 |
| 1968 | 426 |
| 1967 | 469 |
| 1966 | 528 |
| 1965 | 624 |
| 1964 | 668 |
| 1963 | 729 |
| 1962 | 798 |
| 1961 | 880 |
| 1960 | 607 |
| 1959 | 633 |
| 1958 | 670 |
| 1957 | 638 |
| 1956 | 709 |
| 1955 | 724 |
| 1954 | 718 |
| 1953 | 646 |
| 1952 | 637 |
| 1951 | 634 |
| 1950 | 624 |
| 1949 | 595 |
| 1948 | 551 |
| 1947 | 596 |
| 1946 | 523 |
| 1945 | 424 |
| 1944 | 437 |
| 1943 | 503 |
| 1942 | 538 |
| 1941 | 456 |
| 1940 | 427 |
| 1939 | 396 |
| 1938 | 488 |
| 1937 | 433 |
| 1936 | 437 |
| 1935 | 376 |
| 1934 | 429 |
| 1933 | 370 |
| 1932 | 336 |
| 1931 | 243 |
| 1930 | 255 |
| 1929 | 243 |
| 1928 | 240 |
| 1927 | 293 |
| 1926 | 264 |
| 1925 | 272 |
| 1924 | 283 |
| 1923 | 328 |
| 1922 | 326 |
| 1921 | 357 |
| 1920 | 308 |
| 1919 | 327 |
| 1918 | 327 |
| 1917 | 345 |
| 1916 | 336 |
| 1915 | 289 |
| 1914 | 242 |
| 1913 | 191 |
| 1912 | 187 |
| 1911 | 68 |
| 1910 | 71 |
| 1909 | 51 |
| 1908 | 54 |
| 1907 | 43 |
| 1906 | 53 |
| 1905 | 48 |
| 1904 | 46 |
| 1903 | 49 |
| 1902 | 31 |
| 1901 | 52 |
| 1900 | 75 |
| 1899 | 46 |
| 1898 | 42 |
| 1897 | 58 |
| 1896 | 58 |
| 1895 | 53 |
| 1894 | 50 |
| 1893 | 50 |
| 1892 | 61 |
| 1891 | 36 |
| 1890 | 51 |
| 1889 | 51 |
| 1888 | 45 |
| 1887 | 54 |
| 1886 | 49 |
| 1885 | 45 |
| 1884 | 55 |
| 1883 | 45 |
| 1882 | 54 |
| 1881 | 66 |
| 1880 | 49 |