The name Claude has its origins in the Roman clan name Claudius, which was derived from the Latin word claudus, meaning "lame" or "crippled." This suggests that the name may have originally been a nickname or personal characteristic descriptor.

The Claudii were an influential family in ancient Rome, with several notable members bearing this name. One of the most famous was the Roman emperor Claudius, who ruled from 41 to 54 AD. He was known for his scholarly pursuits and for extending Roman citizenship to many inhabitants of the empire.

The name Claude gained popularity across Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly in France, where it was sometimes spelled as Clodius or Clodoveus. It was often associated with the Merovingian dynasty of Frankish kings, including Clovis I, who reigned from 481 to 511 AD and is credited with converting to Christianity and unifying the Franks.

In the 12th century, the French theologian and philosopher Claude of Turin gained recognition for his criticism of religious art and his advocacy for a more literal interpretation of the Bible. Another notable figure was Claude de France, a French princess who lived from 1499 to 1524 and was the wife of Francis I, King of France.

During the Renaissance, the name Claude was borne by several influential artists and writers. Claude Lorrain, a French painter born in 1600, was renowned for his landscape paintings and is considered one of the earliest practitioners of the Baroque classical landscape tradition.

Another famous Claude was the French playwright and actor Claude Molière, whose full name was Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Molière (1622-1673). He is regarded as one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature and is known for plays such as "Tartuffe" and "The Misanthrope."

In the 18th century, the French composer Claude Debussy (1862-1918) became one of the most influential figures in Western music, known for his innovative use of harmony and his works such as "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" and "La Mer."

The name Claude has also been borne by several notable scientists and intellectuals, including the French philosopher Claude Levi-Strauss (1908-2009), who made significant contributions to anthropology and the study of structuralism.