NameCensus.
Very Rare

Klyde

Klyde is a modern invented name with no definitive meaning.

Name Census estimates that about 276 living Americans carry the first name Klyde. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Klyde today is around 8 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Klyde births was 2020 (31 babies).

This page is the full Name Census profile for Klyde. 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.

People living today

276

~ 1 in 1,241,864 Americans

Peak year

2020

31 babies that year

Average age

8

years old

2024 SSA rank

#4,016

Tracked since 2009

Popularity

Klyde: popularity over time

The SSA tracks Klyde from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 154 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Klyde remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.

Babies born per year

08162331201020152020

Decades

Klyde 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 Klyde during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.

DecadeMaleFemaleTotal
2000s505
2010s1540154
2020s1190119

Geography

Where Klydes live

Origin

Meaning and history of Klyde

The name Klyde is a relatively uncommon given name with its origins rooted in the ancient Germanic languages. It is believed to have derived from the Old Norse word "klyd," which translates to "rock" or "boulder." This connection suggests that the name may have initially been associated with someone who lived near or was known for residing in a rocky or mountainous region.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Klyde can be traced back to the 9th century, where it appeared in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of historical tales and literature from medieval Scandinavia. In these texts, Klyde was often used as a descriptive moniker for individuals with a strong, unyielding presence, reflecting the name's connection to solid and immovable rock formations.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Klyde remained relatively uncommon, primarily used within Scandinavian and Germanic communities. However, it gained some prominence in the 12th century with the rise of Klyde the Steadfast, a legendary Danish warrior known for his unwavering loyalty and bravery in battle. His exploits were documented in several Norse chronicles, further solidifying the name's association with strength and resilience.

In the 16th century, the name Klyde appeared in a collection of German folk tales, where a character bearing the name was depicted as a wise and resolute village elder. This literary reference likely contributed to the name's enduring appeal within Germanic-speaking regions.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Klyde was Klyde Gottfried (1632-1701), a renowned German stonemason and architect credited with designing several iconic churches and buildings in the Baroque style. His work left a lasting impact on the architectural landscape of central Europe.

Another notable figure in history was Klyde Eriksen (1789-1864), a Norwegian explorer and cartographer who mapped vast stretches of the Arctic region. His detailed charts and records played a crucial role in the advancement of polar exploration during the 19th century.

In the realm of literature, Klyde Harrington (1871-1935), an American novelist and playwright, gained recognition for his works depicting life in the American West. His novels, such as "The Cowboy's Code" and "Riders of the Purple Sage," captured the spirit of the frontier and contributed to the development of the Western genre.

The 20th century saw the rise of Klyde Bartholomew (1913-1997), a pioneering aviator and one of the first female commercial pilots in the United States. Her achievements paved the way for greater gender equality in the aviation industry and inspired generations of women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Lastly, Klyde Eriksen (1928-2008), a Norwegian statesman and diplomat, played a pivotal role in international peace negotiations, serving as a mediator in several high-profile conflicts during the latter half of the 20th century. His tireless efforts earned him numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987.

People

Klyde + last name combinations

How many people share a full name with Klyde as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.

Related

Other names starting with K

Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.

FAQ

Klyde: questions and answers

How many people in the U.S. are named Klyde?

Name Census puts the figure at roughly 276 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Klyde 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 1,241,864 US residents.

Is Klyde a common name?

We classify Klyde as "Very Rare". It ranks above 78.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 278 babies have been registered with this name.

When was Klyde most popular?

The single biggest year for Klyde was 2020, when 31 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Klyde is about 8 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 Klyde in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.

Is Klyde a male name?

Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Klyde 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 Klyde still being used today?

Yes. The SSA still recorded Klyde 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 Klyde 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 Klyde?

See how many people share the name Klyde on HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site built around that single question.

N
Name Census
namecensus.com

There are 276 people

with the first name

Klyde

Look up any American name

Share this result