Clarence

Meaning: Not established
Origin: English — From the title Duke of Clarence, named for the town of Clare in Suffolk

Boy's name · #1500 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Clarence belongs to an older America first — it reached #17 back in 1885 — yet it still appears in today's records at #1500. About 304,000 boys have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Clarence is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 13 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Clarence ranks in other countries and regions.

#772 in France (2025) · #1,083 in Canada (2025) · #8,702 in Italy (2024) · #2,159 in Sweden (2024) · #4,271 in England & Wales (2024) · #3,944 in Ecuador (2023) · #2,065 in Austria (2019) · #1,377 in Belgium (2012) · #219 in New Zealand (1960).

Famous Clarences

Clarence Seedorf — Dutch footballer (born 1976)
Clarence Darrow — American lawyer and politician (1857–1938)
Clarence Thomas — US Supreme Court justice since 1991 (born 1948)
Clarence Brown — American film director (1890–1987)
Clarence Clemons — American saxophonist (1942–2011)
Clarence Gilyard — American actor (1955–2022)
Clarence Zener — American physicist (1905–1993)

In stories & tradition

Clarence Boddicker — RoboCop (film)
Clarence Odbody — It's a Wonderful Life (film)

What Clarences become

Among 1,233 notable people named Clarence:

Business leaders appear 1.51× more often than among typical names — e.g. Clarence Dillon, American banker (1882–1979).

Similar names: Fred · Clark · Laurence · Earl · Clifford · Terrence

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service