Claus: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Claus

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1916

13 babies

All-time total

366

#9,517 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Claus popularity over time

366 babies have been named Claus since 1880, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	17	2	–	#759
1890s	27	3	+59%	#783
1900s	11	1	-59%	#1,082
1910s	63	6	+473%	#1,788
1920s	70	7	+11%	#2,462
1930s	38	4	-46%	#2,201
1940s	11	1	-71%	#3,203
1950s	55	6	+400%	#2,519
1960s	69	7	+25%	#2,703
1970s	–	–	–	–
1980s	5	1	–	#6,413
1990s	–	–	–	–
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

The story of Claus

Claus is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 366 American babies have been named Claus. Its peak came in 1916, when 13 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1910s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Claus stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Claus?

The median living Claus is about 64 years old; half are between 60 and 69. An estimated 100 people named Claus are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Claus year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	–	–
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	–	–
2010	–	–
2009	–	–
2008	–	–
2007	–	–
2006	–	–
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	–	–
2001	–	–
2000	–	–
1995	–	–
1990	–	–
1985	–	–
1980	5	#6,413
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	9	#2,822
1960	5	#4,128
1955	8	#3,009
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	7	#3,343
1925	12	#2,462
1920	5	#4,413
1915	6	#3,472
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	6	#1,003
1890	6	#908
1885	5	#964
1880	7	#759

Famous people named Claus

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Claus von Stauffenberg German army officer (1907–1944) Contemporary
2 Claus Jensen Danish footballer (born 1977) Contemporary
3 Claus Sluter Dutch then Burgundian sculptor 1340–1406 · Medieval

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Claus, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Claus?

The median living Claus is about 64 years old. Half of all living Clauss are between 60 and 69 years old.

How many people named Claus are alive today?

An estimated 100 people named Claus are alive in the United States, based on 366 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Claus mean?

From Dutch and German Claus, a contraction of Nicolaus (“Nicholas”).

How popular is the name Claus in 2025?

Claus did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Claus?

366 babies have been named Claus in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Claus most popular?

Claus peaked in 1916, when 13 newborns received the name.

Is Claus a boy or girl name?

Claus is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Claus rising or falling?

Claus has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Claus?

Well-known people named Claus include Claus von Stauffenberg (social activist), Claus Jensen (soccer player), Claus Sluter (sculptor).

Names like Claus

Names that sound and feel close to Claus: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Claus with similar names → More names starting with C →