"mild, merciful, gentle"
Origin: Latin
Language: French
Clementine
Pronunciation: [ kl-EHM-uhnt-eyen ]
Does Clementine flow with your last name?
A Victorian treasure meaning 'merciful and gentle'
French
English
American
German
Italian
Vintage
Elegant
Whimsical
Literary
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"belonging to Clement"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Clementine
Clementine is the French feminine form of the Latin name Clementius (from Clemens), meaning 'mild, merciful, or gentle.' The Latin root 'clemens' gave us the English word 'clemency.' The name was borne by several early Christian saints and was particularly popular in France and England during the medieval period. The beloved 19th century American folk song 'Oh My Darling, Clementine' (1884) gave the name an enduring, nostalgic sweetness that has never fully faded.
After decades in the background, Clementine has seen a major revival since the 2010s as parents sought long, Victorian-era names with excellent nickname potential. It sits in the sweet spot of vintage names — old enough to feel distinctive, but not so obscure as to be burdensome.
Clementine Churchill, wife of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, was one of Britain's most admired public figures — known for her intelligence and her famous letter urging Winston to resist surrounding himself with yes-men. She gave the name an association with quiet strength behind great power.
Historical Record
Clementine first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 7,774 babies have been named Clementine in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Clementine is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #478 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- 'Oh My Darling, Clementine' (1884) is one of America's most beloved folk songs, keeping this name in cultural memory for 140 years
- Clementine Churchill was so valued by Winston that he called her 'my darling Clemmie' throughout their 57-year marriage
- The clementine fruit was named after Father Clement Rodier, a French missionary in Algeria
Clementine in Other Languages
French
Clémentine
German
Klementine
Italian
Clementina
Spanish
Clementina
Portuguese
Clementina
Popularity Over Time
#478
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Clementine
C
Clementine Churchill
Humanitarian
1885
Wife of Winston Churchill, noted for her political intelligence and wartime humanitarian work
C
Clementine (Oh My Darling) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the classic American folk song 'Oh My Darling, Clementine' (1884)
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #478
- Total SSA Count
- 645
- Cultural Origins
- French English American German Italian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Clem
Clemmie
Cleo
Minnie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Clementine
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (French)
See all French names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Clementine
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clementine
What does the name Clementine mean?
"mild, merciful, gentle" (from Latin). "belonging to Clement" (from Latin). Clementine is the French feminine form of the Latin name Clementius (from Clemens), meaning 'mild, merciful, or gentle.' The Latin root 'clemens' gave us the English word 'clemency.' The name was borne by several early Christian saints and was particularly popular in France and England during the medieval period. The beloved 19th century American folk song 'Oh My Darling, Clementine' (1884) gave the name an enduring, nostalgic sweetness that has never fully faded.
What is the origin of the name Clementine?
Clementine has Latin, French, English, American, German, and Italian origins. In Latin, it means "mild, merciful, gentle". In Latin, it means "belonging to Clement".
Is Clementine a boy or girl name?
Clementine is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Clementine?
Clementine is pronounced kl-EHM-uhnt-eyen.
How popular is the name Clementine?
Clementine is currently ranked #478 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clementine?
Common nicknames for Clementine include Clem, Clemmie, Cleo, and Minnie.
What are good middle names for Clementine?
Popular middle name pairings include Clementine Rose, Clementine Jane, Clementine Adelaide, Clementine Frances, Clementine Pearl, Clementine Elise, and Clementine June.
What are good sibling names for Clementine?
Names that pair well with Clementine as siblings include Beatrice, Evangeline, Violet, Atticus, Hugo, Phineas, and Josephine.
How many syllables does Clementine have?
Clementine has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Clementine a common or rare name?
Clementine is a popular name, ranked #478 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Clementine
Clementine is a girl name with French, English, American, German, and Italian origins . The name means "mild, merciful, gentle" in Latin .
Clementine is currently ranked #478 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Clementine has 4 syllables and is pronounced kl-EHM-uhnt-eyen, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Clementine include Clem, Clemmie, Cleo, and Minnie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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