Clay first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Clay has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Clay

Of English origin, meaning "soil" or "soft, earthy material".

Popularity of Clay by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Clay is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Clay being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 491 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Clay.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 491 0
2022 450 0
2021 451 0
2020 417 5
2019 376 0
2018 353 0
2017 355 0
2016 338 0
2015 342 0
2014 269 0
2013 321 0
2012 322 0
2011 316 0
2010 272 0
2009 213 0
2008 250 0
2007 281 0
2006 309 0
2005 330 0
2004 383 5
2003 519 0
2002 596 0
2001 573 0
2000 641 0
1999 603 0
1998 623 7
1997 642 0
1996 648 0
1995 714 0
1994 689 0
1993 494 0
1992 433 0
1991 465 0
1990 494 0
1989 451 0
1988 488 0
1987 466 0
1986 412 0
1985 416 0
1984 383 0
1983 373 0
1982 345 0
1981 333 0
1980 350 6
1979 345 0
1978 369 9
1977 421 0
1976 435 0
1975 454 0
1974 422 0

The history of the first name Clay

The name Clay has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the word "claeg," which means "clay" or "mud." This name is believed to have emerged in the early medieval period, around the 5th to 11th centuries.

The name Clay was likely given to individuals who lived near clay-rich areas or worked with clay, perhaps as potters or brickmakers. It may have also been used as a descriptive name for someone with a ruddy or earthy complexion.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Clay can be found in the Domesday Book, a historical record compiled in 1086 for William the Conqueror. This document mentions a landowner named Clay in the county of Derbyshire, England.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Clay. One of the most famous was Henry Clay (1777-1852), an American statesman and orator who served as the 9th United States Secretary of State and as a member of the United States Senate representing Kentucky.

Another prominent figure was Cassius Marcellus Clay (1810-1903), a Kentucky politician and abolitionist who was an outspoken advocate for the emancipation of slaves. He was also known for his role in the anti-slavery movement and his support for Abraham Lincoln.

In the world of literature, Clay Whittaker (1901-1943) was a renowned American journalist and author best known for his novel "The Web of Circumstance," which explored the complexities of human relationships.

The name Clay also has a connection to the world of sports. Clay Kirby (1945-2019) was an American professional baseball player who played as a pitcher for several Major League Baseball teams, including the San Diego Padres and the Cincinnati Reds.

Lastly, Clay Aiken (born 1978) is an American singer-songwriter and author who rose to fame as the runner-up on the second season of the reality singing competition "American Idol" in 2003.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the name Clay, showcasing its rich heritage and diverse cultural backgrounds.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Clay was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Clay, please contact us.

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"Clay first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/clay-meaning-and-history/.

"Clay first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/clay-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Clay first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/clay-meaning-and-history/.

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