Clyde

Meaning: Uncertain; possibly the cleansing one
Origin: Scottish Gaelic — From the River Clyde in Scotland

Boy's name · #743 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Popularity over time

Few names move less than Clyde — on the books since 1880, #743 in 2025, and dependable in between. Roughly 145,000 boys have carried the name since. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Clyde is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 35 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Clyde ranks in other countries and regions.

#1,207 in Canada (2025) · #2,144 in Sweden (2025) · #3,774 in France (2025) · #5,137 in England & Wales (2025) · #727 in Scotland (2024) · #3,960 in Ecuador (2023) · #326 in Ireland (1978) · #212 in New Zealand (1962).

Famous Clydes

Clyde Tombaugh — American astronomer (1906–1997)
Clyde Drexler — American basketball player (born 1962)
Clyde Tolson — American law enforcement officer (1900–1975)
Clyde McPhatter — American singer (1932–1972)
Clyde Kusatsu — American actor (born 1948)

In stories & tradition

Clyde Donovan — South Park (TV series)
Clyde Bunny — Looney Tunes (film series)
Clyde Langer — The Sarah Jane Adventures (TV series)

What Clydes become

Among 513 notable people named Clyde:

Sports figures appear 1.7× more often than among typical names — e.g. Clyde Drexler, American basketball player (born 1962).

Similar names: Van · Clark · Bode · Mack · Monroe · Wallace

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

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