Clay
Clay: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /kleɪ/
Meaning and origin of Clay
Root meaning: “clay”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
- A diminutive of the male given name Clayton.
Etymology
From a Middle English occupational name for a clay worker, or a habitational name, from Old English clǣġ (“clay”).
How popular is Clay?
Since 1880, 273 girls and 40,252 boys in the U.S. have been named Clay (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1235 in 1891. Its highest rank for boys was #259 in 1961. In 2025 it ranked #573 for boys, with 515 babies given the name.
Names similar to Clay
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname boy names
Sibling name ideas for Clay
Sister and brother names that share Clay's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Clay FAQ
What does the name Clay mean?
Clay traces back to a root meaning "clay". A male given name transferred from the surname. A diminutive of the male given name Clayton. From a Middle English occupational name for a clay worker, or a habitational name, from Old English clǣġ (“clay”).
What is the origin of the name Clay?
Clay is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Clay?
Since 1880, 273 girls and 40,252 boys in the U.S. have been named Clay (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1235 in 1891. Its highest rank for boys was #259 in 1961. In 2025 it ranked #573 for boys, with 515 babies given the name.
Is Clay a boy or girl name?
Clay is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 273 girls and 40,252 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.