Clay: Meaning, origin and popularity

Pronounced KLAY · 1 syllable

From a Middle English occupational name for a clay worker, or a habitational name, from Old English cl g (“clay”).

How popular is Clay?

Clay was the #573 name in the US in 2025, given to 515 babies. It’s rising: up 66% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1960.

Babies named Clay in the US by five-year period, relative to its peak (around 1960).

Half of US adults named Clay are older than 46; most are between 22 and 73. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)

Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.

Clay is pronounced KLAY.

Clay was the #573 name in the US in 2025, given to 515 babies. It’s rising: up 66% on 2011–2015. It peaked around 1960.

Half of US adults named Clay are older than 46. Most are between 22 and 73.