Clearence
A masculine name derived from the Latin word "clarus" meaning "clear" or "bright".
Name Census estimates that about 427 living Americans carry the first name Clearence. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Clearence today is around 76 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Clearence births was 1927 (58 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Clearence. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Clearence is about 76 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Clearences were born before 1960.
People living today
427
~ 1 in 802,703 Americans
Peak year
1927
58 babies that year
Average age
76
years old
1986 SSA rank
#6,075
Tracked since 1897
Popularity
Clearence: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Clearence from the 1890s through to the 1980s, spanning 10 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 393 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Clearence by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Clearence during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Clearences live
The SSA's state-level files cover 11 states and territories. Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee recorded the most babies named Clearence, while Missouri, Georgia, Arkansas recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 20 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Clearence
The given name Clearence has its origins in the Latin language, derived from the word "clarus," which means "clear" or "bright." It emerged during the Roman era and was initially used as a surname or family name. The earliest known instance of its use as a first name dates back to the 4th century AD.
In its early days, the name Clearence was predominantly found in regions under Roman influence, such as parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Over time, it spread to other areas as a result of cultural exchanges and migrations.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Clearence was Clearence of Alexandria, a Christian scholar and theologian who lived in the 4th century AD. He is known for his contributions to the study of early Christian writings and his works on the interpretation of scriptures.
Another notable figure was Clearence of Vienne, a 5th-century bishop and saint in what is now modern-day France. He is revered for his efforts in spreading Christianity and establishing monasteries in the region.
During the Middle Ages, the name Clearence gained popularity among the nobility and aristocracy. One prominent example is Clearence of Saxony, a 12th-century nobleman and military leader who played a significant role in the Crusades and the expansion of the Holy Roman Empire.
In the Renaissance period, the name was associated with scholars and intellectuals. Clearence di Montefeltro, an Italian humanist and philosopher in the 15th century, was renowned for his contributions to the study of classical literature and his patronage of the arts.
Another individual of historical significance was Clearence Browne, an English explorer and navigator who lived in the 16th century. He is credited with leading expeditions to the Americas and contributing to the exploration and mapping of the New World.
Over the centuries, the name Clearence has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including artists, scientists, politicians, and religious leaders. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its association with clarity, brightness, and a sense of distinction.
People
Clearence + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Clearence as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Clearence: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Clearence?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 427 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Clearence going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 802,703 US residents.
Is Clearence a common name?
We classify Clearence as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,427 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Clearence most popular?
The single biggest year for Clearence was 1927, when 58 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Clearence is about 76 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Clearence a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Clearence in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.