How Many People Are Named Clay?
Complete statistics for the name Clay: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Clay means 'muddy earth' and it's very rare, with only 1 in 10,433 Americans sharing this name. People named Clay have been around since 1960 when it peaked with 911 births.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 5 represents freedom and adventure.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 49All 39,991 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1960Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Clay Through the Generations
Over the decades, Clay has maintained its charm, becoming a classic choice for parents looking for a timeless name. With 31,631 people named Clay alive today, the name has seen a resurgence in recent years, showing that it's not just a relic of the past but a name that continues to resonate with new generations. The age distribution reveals a fairly even spread, with 29% under 30, 35% aged 30-60, and 36% over 60, indicating that Clay is appreciated across different age groups.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Clay
Clay is both an English surname, and a masculine given name. It may be short for Clayton.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Clay's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Clay
How Many People Have the Name Clay?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 47,234 people in the United States currently share the name Clay. That works out to roughly 1 in every 7,017 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Clay a Common or Rare Name?
Clay is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Clay Mean?
Clay means "muddy earth" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Clay in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Clay Most Popular?
The name Clay reached peak popularity in 1960, with 911 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Clay?
Approximately 47,234 people named Clay live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 47,234. That works out to roughly 1 in 7,017 Americans.
Is Clay a rare name?
Clay is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 7,017 Americans has this name.
What does the name Clay mean?
Clay means "muddy earth" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Clay more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Clay are male and 0% are female.
When was Clay most popular?
Clay peaked in 1960 with 911 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.