Clay
From a Middle English occupational name for a clay worker, or a habitational name, from Old English clǣġ (“clay”).
Every Clay since 1880 — 40,525 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Clay
Clay is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #573 in 2025 with 515 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 40,525 American babies have been named Clay. Its peak came in 1960, when 911 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1960s.
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 Clay stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Clay year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 515 | #573 |
| 2024 | 5 | #15,788 | 545 | #544 |
| 2023 | — | — | 494 | #581 |
| 2022 | — | — | 453 | #618 |
| 2021 | — | — | 451 | #617 |
| 2020 | 5 | #15,637 | 417 | #644 |
| 2019 | — | — | 376 | #682 |
| 2018 | — | — | 353 | #688 |
| 2017 | — | — | 355 | #694 |
| 2016 | — | — | 339 | #724 |
| 2015 | — | — | 342 | #720 |
| 2014 | — | — | 269 | #841 |
| 2013 | — | — | 321 | #729 |
| 2012 | — | — | 322 | #726 |
| 2011 | — | — | 316 | #720 |
| 2010 | — | — | 273 | #794 |
| 2009 | — | — | 213 | #948 |
| 2008 | — | — | 250 | #853 |
| 2007 | — | — | 281 | #775 |
| 2006 | — | — | 309 | #707 |
| 2005 | — | — | 330 | #654 |
| 2004 | 5 | #16,674 | 383 | #582 |
| 2003 | — | — | 519 | #479 |
| 2002 | — | — | 597 | #417 |
| 2001 | — | — | 573 | #427 |
| 2000 | — | — | 641 | #396 |
| 1995 | — | — | 714 | #344 |
| 1990 | — | — | 494 | #445 |
| 1985 | — | — | 416 | #418 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9,315 | 350 | #443 |
| 1975 | — | — | 454 | #365 |
| 1970 | 5 | #8,212 | 456 | #379 |
| 1965 | — | — | 440 | #369 |
| 1960 | 7 | #5,260 | 904 | #265 |
| 1955 | 5 | #5,980 | 426 | #350 |
| 1950 | 7 | #4,386 | 180 | #497 |
| 1945 | — | — | 97 | #612 |
| 1940 | — | — | 128 | #510 |
| 1935 | — | — | 110 | #548 |
| 1930 | 7 | #3,721 | 131 | #524 |
| 1925 | — | — | 144 | #507 |
| 1920 | 10 | #3,150 | 147 | #498 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,499 | 132 | #485 |
| 1910 | — | — | 28 | #540 |
| 1905 | — | — | 34 | #355 |
| 1900 | — | — | 41 | #337 |
| 1895 | — | — | 33 | #318 |
| 1890 | — | — | 32 | #303 |
| 1885 | — | — | 18 | #425 |
| 1880 | — | — | 18 | #406 |
Famous people named Clay
- Clay Regazzoni Racing driver · 1939–2006
- Clay Shirky Writer · b. 1964
- Clay Aiken Singer · b. 1978
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Clay mean?
From a Middle English occupational name for a clay worker, or a habitational name, from Old English clǣġ (“clay”).
How popular is the name Clay in 2025?
Clay ranked #573 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 515 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Clay?
40,525 babies have been named Clay in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Clay most popular?
Clay peaked in 1960, when 911 newborns received the name.
Is Clay a boy or girl name?
Clay is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Clay rising or falling?
Clay is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Clay?
Well-known people named Clay include Clay Regazzoni (racing driver), Clay Shirky (writer), Clay Aiken (singer).