"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
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Clarence
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"from Clare (Suffolk)"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
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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)
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Compare Clarence with:
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
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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
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Also a Girl Name
Clarence is also used as a girl name, ranked #71545.
View Clarence as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Basque (via Xavier) origin
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Irish/Scottish origin
"son of Adam"
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Scottish place name origin
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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.
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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