Clay vs Sterling

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Clay

Boy #544 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"clay settlement, clay worker"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American Southern American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#544
Total SSA Count
545
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Clay →

Popularity Comparison

Clay Rank #544
Sterling Rank #373

Sterling is more popular, ranked #373 vs #544 for Clay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clay or Sterling more popular?

Sterling is more popular, ranked #373 compared to Clay at #544 in the United States.

What do Clay and Sterling mean?

Clay means "clay settlement, clay worker" (Old English origin). Sterling means "little star" (Old English origin).

Are Clay and Sterling boy or girl names?

Clay is primarily a boy name. Sterling is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Clay ← Full profile: Sterling Browse all baby names