"bright, clear, famous"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Clarence
Pronunciation: [ kl-EHR-uhns ]
Does Clarence flow with your last name?
A Victorian aristocratic name meaning clear and bright
English
American
Vintage
Classic
Sophisticated
Traditional
Formal
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Meaning & Origin
"from Clare (Suffolk)"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Clarence
See all →What the Clarence report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Clarence the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Clarence
Clarence derives from the Latin 'Clarentia,' the feminine form of 'Clarentius,' which was a title given to the English Dukes of Clarence — a title created in the 14th century from Clare in Suffolk. The name ultimately traces to the Latin 'clarus' meaning clear, bright, or famous. It entered common use as a given name in the Victorian era following aristocratic associations.
Clarence was a top-20 American name from the 1880s through the 1920s. Its decline coincided with It's a Wonderful Life's gentle guardian angel Clarence, which though charming, made the name feel soft to mid-century parents seeking stronger choices. It never fully recovered as naming tastes shifted to shorter, snappier options.
The title Duke of Clarence was famously held by the eldest sons of British monarchs, and the name carries a distinctly aristocratic English flavor. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas brought renewed visibility to the name in the 1990s.
Historical Record
Clarence first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 74,567 babies have been named Clarence in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Clarence is past its peak , currently ranked #1,563 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Clarence was a top-10 US name in 1890 — it's now extremely rare, making it a strong choice for parents who love vintage names
- The angel Clarence in It's a Wonderful Life is one of cinema's most beloved characters with this name
Clarence in Other Languages
French
Clarence
German
Clarence
Italian
Clarenso
Spanish
Clarence
Popularity Over Time
#1,563
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Clarence
C
Clarence Thomas
Politician
1948
Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the second African American to serve on the Court
C
Clarence Darrow
Other
1857
Legendary American defense attorney known for the Scopes 'Monkey' Trial and Leopold and Loeb case
C
Clarence Oddbody Fictional
Other
The lovable guardian angel in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,563
- Total SSA Count
- 111
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Clare
Clary
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Clarence
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Clarence fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Clarence is also used as a girl name, ranked #71545.
View Clarence as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Clarence →Compare Clarence with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Clarence
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Clarence and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Clarence sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Deion
Boy
Greek mythology origin
"divine, of the god of wine"
#1,623 in US
Lamar
Boy
Old French origin
"of the sea, of the lake"
#1,517 in US
Chevy
Boy
French/Old English origin
"horseman, from the Cheviot hills"
#1,667 in US
Monte
Boy
Latin origin
"mountain"
#1,431 in US
Zade
Boy
Alternative interpretation origin
"hunter"
#1,414 in US
Warner
Boy
Old High German origin
"army guard, protecting warrior"
#1,500 in US
Coy
Boy
Old French origin
"quiet, calm, reserved"
#1,507 in US
Barry
Boy
Welsh barr origin
"summit, top"
#1,421 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Clarence's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clarence
What does the name Clarence mean?
"bright, clear, famous" (from Latin). "from Clare (Suffolk)" (from Old English). Clarence derives from the Latin 'Clarentia,' the feminine form of 'Clarentius,' which was a title given to the English Dukes of Clarence — a title created in the 14th century from Clare in Suffolk. The name ultimately traces to the Latin 'clarus' meaning clear, bright, or famous. It entered common use as a given name in the Victorian era following aristocratic associations.
What is the origin of the name Clarence?
Clarence has Latin, Old English, English, and American origins. In Latin, it means "bright, clear, famous". In Old English, it means "from Clare (Suffolk)".
Is Clarence a boy or girl name?
Clarence is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1563. As a girl name, it is ranked #71545. Clarence is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Clarence?
Clarence is pronounced kl-EHR-uhns.
How popular is the name Clarence?
Clarence is currently ranked #1563 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clarence?
Common nicknames for Clarence include Clare and Clary.
What are good middle names for Clarence?
Popular middle name pairings include Clarence James, Clarence Thomas, Clarence Edward, Clarence Arthur, Clarence William, and Clarence Henry.
What are good sibling names for Clarence?
Names that pair well with Clarence as siblings include Harold, Eleanor, Beatrice, Herbert, Florence, Edwin, and Mabel.
How many syllables does Clarence have?
Clarence has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Clarence a common or rare name?
Clarence is an uncommon name, ranked #1563 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Clarence?
About the Name Clarence
Clarence is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "bright, clear, famous" in Latin .
Is Clarence a boy or girl name? Clarence is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,563 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #71,545. Clarence is more commonly used as a boy name.
Clarence is currently ranked #1,563 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Clarence has 3 syllables and is pronounced kl-EHR-uhns, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Clarence include Clare and Clary. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Clarence include Clark, Clarke . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
C
Names Starting with C
More boy names like Clarence
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis