Clarence
Clarence is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Bright, clear, or illustrious; associated with the English town of Clare.
Origin and history
Clarence is a classic masculine name derived from the Latin title 'Clarensis', referring to the town of Clare in Suffolk, England. It was famously borne by English royalty, including the Duke of Clarence. Historically popular in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it remains a traditional and recognized name today.
Popularity in the United States
303,564 babies in the United States have been named Clarence since 1880. It ranks #119 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1234.
States where it is most popular
- PA (5.7 %)
- TX (5.6 %)
- OH (5.1 %)
- IL (5 %)
- NC (4.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 8,760 |
| 1890-1900 | 11,901 |
| 1900-1910 | 13,573 |
| 1910-1920 | 49,196 |
| 1920-1930 | 66,574 |
| 1930-1940 | 42,676 |
| 1940-1950 | 36,197 |
| 1950-1960 | 29,488 |
| 1960-1970 | 17,500 |
| 1970-1980 | 10,667 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,364 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,538 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,592 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,795 |
| 2020-2029 | 743 |
Famous people named Clarence
- Clarence Darrow: Lawyer, Civil Liberties Advocate
- Clarence Thomas: Supreme Court Justice, Jurist
- Clarence Clemons: Musician, Saxophonist
Nicknames
Clare, Clarey
Fun facts
- The name originally came into popularity in England via the title Duke of Clarence, created for Lionel of Antwerp in 1362.
- Clarence ranked consistently among the top 20 most popular male names in the United States throughout the late 1890s and early 1900s.