Clova
A feminine name possibly derived from Scottish Gaelic meaning "the meadow".
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Clova. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Clova today is around 91 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Clova births was 1915 (10 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Clova. 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 Clova is about 91 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Clovas were born before 1945.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Clova. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
1915
10 babies that year
Average age
91
years old
1938 SSA rank
#3,919
Tracked since 1905
Popularity
Clova: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Clova from the 1900s through to the 1930s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1910s, with 52 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1910s peak, Clova remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Clova 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 Clova during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Clovas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Clova
The given name Clova is believed to have originated in the Scottish Highlands, deriving from the Gaelic word "clobha," which means "cleft" or "ravine." It is thought to have emerged as a name sometime around the 12th or 13th century, when it was likely bestowed upon individuals residing near prominent clefts or ravines in the rugged Scottish landscape.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Clova can be found in the Annals of Ulster, an ancient chronicle detailing events in Ireland and Scotland. The entry, dated 1264, mentions a man named Clova mac Gillebride, a Scottish warrior who played a role in the Battle of Largs against the Norwegians.
In the 16th century, the name Clova gained prominence through the figure of Clova Campbell, a Scottish noblewoman born in 1542. She was known for her involvement in the tumultuous political affairs of the time and her unwavering support for Mary, Queen of Scots.
Another notable bearer of the name was Clova Macpherson, a renowned Scottish poet and author who lived from 1670 to 1738. Her works, which celebrated the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands, were highly acclaimed during her lifetime and contributed to the preservation of Scottish cultural heritage.
In the 18th century, Clova Sinclair (1710-1788) was a influential Scottish landowner and philanthropist. She was instrumental in establishing several schools and hospitals in the Highlands, demonstrating her commitment to improving the lives of her fellow Scots.
Clova Macdonald (1824-1896), born in the Isle of Skye, was a celebrated Scottish Gaelic scholar and educator. She dedicated her life to preserving and promoting the Gaelic language and culture, publishing numerous works on Gaelic literature and folklore.
While the name Clova has deep roots in Scottish history and culture, its usage has been relatively limited in modern times, making it a unique and distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with a rich historical background and connection to the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands.
People
Clova + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Clova 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
Clova: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Clova?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Clova 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 57,125,723 US residents.
Is Clova a common name?
We classify Clova as "Very Rare". It ranks above 22.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 122 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Clova most popular?
The single biggest year for Clova was 1915, when 10 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Clova is about 91 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Clova a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Clova in the SSA data are female. 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.