Clarence Boy

Popularity: #813 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationKLAIR-uhns / /ˈklɛərəns/

Latin; Old French

Meaning

Latin: 'bright' or 'clear'; Old French: 'one who is illustrious'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Clarence has roots in Latin, deriving from 'clarus', meaning bright or clear. It gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century. The name is often associated with nobility, particularly due to its use by British royalty. Clarence has also been used in various literary and cultural contexts, contributing to its enduring presence.

Trend Summary

Clarence has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking in the early to mid-20th century and declining in recent decades.

Similar Names

ClarityClaudClaudineCliveClementineClaudette

Variants

  • Clare
  • Clarence

International Variants

  • Cláudio (Portuguese)
  • Clara (Spanish)
  • Clarenza (Italian)

Famous people named Clarence

Clarence Birdseye was an American inventor known for developing the quick-freezing process for food.

Clarence Thomas is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Clarence Clemons was an American musician and member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.

Clarence Darrow was a prominent American lawyer and civil libertarian.

Fictional characters named Clarence

Clarence Odbody is a character in the film 'It's a Wonderful Life' who serves as George Bailey's guardian angel.

Clarence the Angel is a character in the animated series 'The Simpsons' who appears in a Christmas episode.

Sibling Suggestions

ClaraClementClaudiaCleoCyrusCassandra

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Clarence was first seen in the United States in 1880. Clarence has ranked as high as #62 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, and Virginia. In the past 5 years the name Clarence has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Clarence (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 11
25%
FL 10
23%
IN 8
18%
OH 5
11%
PA 5
11%
TN 5
11%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880730
1881668
1882837
1883837
1884889
1885906
1886995
1887892
18881,022
1889984
18901,018
18911,007
18921,276
18931,169
18941,185
18951,326
18961,254
18971,201
18981,326
18991,139
19001,483
19011,196
19021,292
19031,261
19041,310
19051,377
19061,319
19071,389
19081,428
19091,518
19101,706
19111,775
19123,590
19134,046
19144,909
19156,267
19166,304
19176,587
19187,187
19196,825
19207,221
19217,332
19226,861
19236,801
19246,895
19256,670
19266,537
19276,460
19286,068
19295,729
19305,498
19315,062
19324,895
19334,280
19344,213
19354,080
19363,772
19373,756
19383,638
19393,483
19403,487
19413,671
19423,741
19433,854
19443,575
19453,196
19463,568
19473,920
19483,790
19493,395
19503,340
19513,232
19523,157
19533,076
19543,181
19553,016
19562,953
19572,627
19582,525
19592,379
19602,198
19612,190
19621,949
19631,963
19641,775
19651,802
19661,531
19671,376
19681,381
19691,337
19701,384
19711,370
19721,214
19731,100
19741,005
1975909
1976953
1977886
1978935
1979911
1980859
1981846
1982842
1983795
1984732
1985675
1986693
1987632
1988655
1989635
1990618
1991592
1992518
1993499
1994483
1995425
1996376
1997362
1998349
1999317
2000310
2001302
2002262
2003260
2004250
2005297
2006249
2007251
2008218
2009192
2010199
2011191
2012191
2013176
2014197
2015184
2016156
2017158
2018173
2019169
2020135
2021129
2022137
2023112
2024111