Clarke Unisex

Popularity: #901 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: klark //klɑːrk//

Origin: English; Irish

Meaning: English: clerk; Irish: descendant of the cleric

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Clarke has its origins in the Latin word "clericus," meaning "clerk" or "scholar." This term evolved into the Old French "clerc," which referred to a person of the clergy or someone educated, and subsequently made its way into Middle English as "clerk." The name was often used as a surname, denoting someone who performed clerical duties or was associated with the church, before becoming adopted as a given name in its own right. The transition into English usage can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, which brought many French terms into the English language, including those related to education and clerical roles.

Historically, the name Clarke has been borne by various notable figures, including clerics and scholars throughout the medieval period. One significant milestone is its association with the clergy during the Middle Ages, when many individuals with this surname served in ecclesiastical positions.

The name also appears in historical texts and documents from the 12th century onward, reflecting its longstanding presence in English society. Additionally, the name is linked to various saints and religious figures, further solidifying its connection to clerical life.

Culturally, the name Clarke has resonated with themes of learning, wisdom, and service, often symbolizing a connection to education and the church. It has been used in literature and historical accounts to represent individuals of intellect and moral standing.

The diminutive form "Clark" has also emerged, reflecting a more informal adaptation of the name while retaining its original connotations. Overall, Clarke embodies a rich historical and cultural legacy, rooted in the traditions of scholarship and clerical duty.

Famous people named Clarke

In this section, you will find notable people named Clarke. 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 Clarke who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Clarke 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.

Clarke Gable is an actor best known for Gone with the Wind, It Happened One Night, and Mutiny on the Bounty.

Clarke Peters is an actor and director best known for The Wire, Treme, and The Corner.

Clarke Duncan is an actor best known for The Green Mile, Armageddon, and Daredevil.

Fictional characters named Clarke

The following list of fictional characters named Clarke 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.

Clarke Griffin is a fictional character from the TV series The 100. She is a key leader among the survivors who return to Earth and navigates complex moral dilemmas in a post-apocalyptic world.

Clarke is a fictional character from the video game series The Last of Us. They are a significant character in the narrative, representing themes of survival and the human condition.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Clarke, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

JamesHenryOliverWilliamThomasEthan

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Clarke. 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.

MarkLukeJackBlakeColeJakeDerekScott

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Clarke was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Clarke has ranked as high as #2278 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and North Carolina.

In the past 5 years the name Clarke has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Clarke 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 Clarke was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Clarke.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 177 37 140
2024 143 35 108
2023 158 25 133
2022 177 38 139
2021 192 40 152
2020 187 45 142
2019 168 53 115
2018 133 41 92
2017 134 39 95
2016 137 61 76
2015 85 36 49
2014 71 39 32
2013 51 32 19
2012 56 31 25
2011 46 23 23
2010 44 20 24
2009 45 22 23
2008 31 14 17
2007 38 23 15
2006 40 26 14
2005 31 19 12
2004 37 18 19
2003 37 28 9
2002 39 23 16
2001 39 22 17
2000 38 17 21
1999 36 25 11
1998 41 29 12
1997 35 20 15
1996 53 29 24
1995 62 46 16
1994 46 27 19
1993 54 29 25
1992 48 31 17
1991 57 35 22
1990 35 35 0
1989 37 37 0
1988 32 32 0
1987 22 22 0
1986 33 33 0
1985 27 27 0
1984 23 23 0
1983 35 35 0
1982 30 30 0
1981 25 25 0
1980 24 24 0
1979 11 11 0
1978 20 20 0
1977 18 18 0
1976 29 29 0
1975 18 18 0
1974 27 27 0
1973 24 24 0
1972 26 26 0
1971 24 24 0
1970 35 35 0
1969 36 36 0
1968 35 35 0
1967 40 40 0
1966 31 31 0
1965 30 30 0
1964 52 52 0
1963 53 53 0
1962 44 44 0
1961 52 52 0
1960 44 44 0
1959 50 50 0
1958 47 47 0
1957 46 46 0
1956 42 42 0
1955 60 60 0
1954 60 60 0
1953 36 36 0
1952 53 53 0
1951 48 48 0
1950 49 49 0
1949 48 48 0
1948 42 42 0
1947 61 61 0
1946 50 50 0
1945 41 41 0
1944 39 39 0
1943 39 39 0
1942 41 41 0
1941 43 43 0
1940 35 35 0
1939 29 29 0
1938 38 38 0
1937 43 43 0
1936 44 44 0
1935 34 34 0
1934 43 43 0
1933 40 40 0
1932 31 31 0
1931 26 26 0
1930 28 28 0
1929 28 28 0
1928 23 23 0
1927 27 27 0
1926 37 37 0
1925 33 33 0
1924 29 29 0
1923 30 30 0
1922 38 38 0
1921 37 37 0
1920 33 33 0
1919 28 28 0
1918 34 34 0
1917 27 27 0
1916 22 22 0
1915 39 39 0
1914 16 16 0
1913 17 17 0
1912 17 17 0
1910 6 6 0
1909 6 6 0
1905 6 6 0
1904 6 6 0
1903 8 8 0
1896 6 6 0
1890 5 5 0
1887 5 5 0
1881 5 5 0
1880 6 6 0

Top States for Clarke (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TN 7
14%
FL 7
14%
NC 6
12%
TX 6
12%
VA 6
12%
MI 6
12%
GA 6
12%
IL 5
10%