"scribe, secretary, scholar"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Clarke
Pronunciation: [ kl-AHRK ]
Does Clarke flow with your last name?
A sharp one-syllable scholar surname rising for girls
English
American
Irish
Strong
Modern
Bold
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Clarke
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Clarke
7 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"one who is learned, a clerk"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Clarke
See all →What the Clarke report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Clarke 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?
Keep Clarke
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Clarke head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Clarke actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Clarke
Clarke is a variant of Clark, an Old English occupational surname derived from the Medieval Latin clericus, meaning cleric or scribe. In the Middle Ages, clerks were literate men employed to keep records — an extremely valued skill when most people could not read. The surname became widespread across Britain and Ireland and has been used as a given name since the 19th century. The -e ending on Clarke gives it a slightly more refined appearance.
Clarke for girls has grown significantly in the 2010s, driven by the popularity of the character Clarke Griffin on The 100 (CW, 2014-2020), played by Eliza Taylor. It fits into the trend of one-syllable, surname-style names for girls like Blake, Quinn, and Sloane.
Clarke represents the growing trend of traditionally masculine surname-names being adopted for girls, particularly those with a crisp, assertive sound. The names association with literacy and scholarship gives it an intellectually appealing edge.
Historical Record
Clarke first appeared in US Social Security records in 1991.
Over 1,546 babies have been named Clarke in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Clarke is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #1,872 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The medieval clerk was so important that the title evolved into modern titles like clerk of court and clerical work
- Clarke Griffin of The 100 is widely credited with popularizing Clarke as a girls name in the 2010s
- Arthur C. Clarke, the sci-fi author who predicted communication satellites, shares this surname-name
Clarke in Other Languages
French
Clarke
English
Clark / Clarke
Popularity Over Time
#1,872
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Clarke
E
Emeli Sandé
Musician
1987
Scottish singer-songwriter born Adele Emily Sandé, who uses a variant spelling
C
Clarke Griffin Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the post-apocalyptic TV series The 100 (2014-2020), a natural leader and moral compass
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Echo
Girl
"mountain nymph"
#1,700
Mileena
Girl
"gracious, dear, beloved"
#1,684
Sarina
Girl
"little princess"
#1,790
Anylah
Girl
"variant of Ayla, meaning oak tree"
#1,862
Lainee
Girl
"torch, bright one"
#1,767
Compare Clarke with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,872
- Total SSA Count
- 107
- Cultural Origins
- English American Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Cla
Clar
Clary
Clarie
Cly
Clie
Clakins
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Clarke
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Clarke fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Clarke is also used as a boy name, ranked #3358.
View Clarke as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Clarke →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Clarke with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Clarke
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Clarke and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Clarke 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 →
Echo
Girl
Greek origin
"mountain nymph"
#1,700 in US
Mileena
Girl
Old Slavic origin
"gracious, dear, beloved"
#1,684 in US
Sarina
Girl
Italian diminutive of Sara origin
"little princess"
#1,790 in US
Anylah
Girl
Hebrew/Modern origin
"variant of Ayla, meaning oak tree"
#1,862 in US
Lainee
Girl
Greek Helen origin
"torch, bright one"
#1,767 in US
Naylani
Girl
Hawaiian (lani element) origin
"heavenly, celestial"
#1,832 in US
Toby
Girl
Hebrew origin
"Yahweh is good"
#2,005 in US
America
Girl
Latin/Italian origin
"land of Amerigo Vespucci"
#1,821 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Clarke's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clarke
What does the name Clarke mean?
"scribe, secretary, scholar" (from Old English). "one who is learned, a clerk" (from Latin). Clarke is a variant of Clark, an Old English occupational surname derived from the Medieval Latin clericus, meaning cleric or scribe. In the Middle Ages, clerks were literate men employed to keep records — an extremely valued skill when most people could not read. The surname became widespread across Britain and Ireland and has been used as a given name since the 19th century. The -e ending on Clarke gives it a slightly more refined appearance.
What is the origin of the name Clarke?
Clarke has Old English, Latin, English, American, and Irish origins. In Old English, it means "scribe, secretary, scholar". In Latin, it means "one who is learned, a clerk".
Is Clarke a boy or girl name?
Clarke is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1872. As a boy name, it is ranked #3358. Clarke is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Clarke?
Clarke is pronounced kl-AHRK.
How popular is the name Clarke?
Clarke is currently ranked #1872 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clarke?
Common nicknames for Clarke include Cla, Clar, Clary, Clarie, Cly, Clie, and Clakins.
What are good middle names for Clarke?
Popular middle name pairings include Clarke Rose, Clarke Jane, Clarke Anne, Clarke Louise, Clarke Quinn, Clarke Wren, and Clarke Marie.
What are good sibling names for Clarke?
Names that pair well with Clarke as siblings include Blake, Quinn, Sloane, Hayes, Greer, Brooks, and Reeve.
How many syllables does Clarke have?
Clarke has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Clarke a common or rare name?
Clarke is an uncommon name, ranked #1872 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Clarke?
About the Name Clarke
Clarke is a girl name with English, American, and Irish origins . The name means "scribe, secretary, scholar" in Old English .
Is Clarke a boy or girl name? Clarke is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,872 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #3,358. Clarke is more commonly used as a girl name.
Clarke is currently ranked #1,872 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Clarke has 1 syllable and is pronounced kl-AHRK, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Clarke include Cla, Clar, Clary, Clarie, Cly, Clie, and Clakins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Clarke include Clara, Clare, Clarissa, Clarice, Clarity . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
C
Names Starting with C
More girl names like Clarke
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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