Cluster
A collection or group of people, things, or events.
Name Census estimates that about 8 living Americans carry the first name Cluster. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Cluster today is around 82 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Cluster births was 1924 (8 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Cluster. 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 Cluster is about 82 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Clusters were born before 1954.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Cluster. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
8
~ 1 in 42,844,292 Americans
Peak year
1924
8 babies that year
Average age
82
years old
1955 SSA rank
#3,249
Tracked since 1917
Popularity
Cluster: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Cluster from the 1910s through to the 1950s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 30 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
Cluster 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 Cluster during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Clusters live
Origin
Meaning and history of Cluster
The name Cluster is an intriguing one that has its roots in the English language. It emerged in the 17th century as a descriptive term, derived from the Old English word "clusrian," which meant "to cluster together." The name is believed to have been adopted as a given name to reflect the idea of a group or a gathering of people or objects.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cluster can be found in the writings of the English poet and playwright, John Milton. In his epic poem "Paradise Lost," published in 1667, Milton refers to a "cluster of stars" in the night sky. This poetic reference suggests that the name was already in use during that time period, albeit perhaps not as a personal name.
The first documented individual with the name Cluster is Cluster Appleton, born in 1712 in Lancashire, England. Appleton was a farmer and landowner, and his unusual name drew attention in local records. It is speculated that his parents chose the name to reflect their hope for a large and prosperous family, with many children clustering around them.
In the 19th century, the name Cluster gained some prominence in literary circles. Cluster Haywood, a British novelist and playwright born in 1823, was known for her works exploring themes of family and community. Her name was often commented upon as being unconventional and intriguing, adding to her literary reputation.
Another notable figure with the name Cluster was Cluster Winfield, an American botanist born in 1849. Winfield dedicated his life to the study of plant clusters and groupings, and his name was seen as perfectly suited to his chosen field of study.
In the 20th century, Cluster Jameson, born in 1912 in Scotland, made a name for himself as a renowned astrophysicist. His research focused on the study of star clusters and galaxies, and his name was often cited as a fitting reflection of his scientific pursuits.
While the name Cluster may be considered unusual or even whimsical by modern standards, it has a rich history that spans centuries and has been borne by individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions. Its origins in the English language and its descriptive nature have made it a unique and intriguing choice for a given name throughout the years.
People
Cluster + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Cluster 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
Cluster: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Cluster?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 8 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Cluster 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 42,844,292 US residents.
Is Cluster a common name?
We classify Cluster as "Very Rare". It ranks above 24.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 55 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Cluster most popular?
The single biggest year for Cluster was 1924, when 8 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Cluster is about 82 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Cluster in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Cluster a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Cluster 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.
Is Cluster still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Cluster in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Cluster can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Cluster?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.