Clark

Pronunciation: [ kl-AHRK ]

Boy Name #438 Most Popular Rising 1 Syllable

One syllable, superhero strength

English American Scottish

Strong Modern Classic Bold Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"clerk, scribe, secretary"

Origin: Old English/Old French

Language: English

"one who is learned"

Origin: Latin (clericus)

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Strongly associated with Clark Kent/Superman, which most parents consider a positive

The Story of Clark

Clark derives from the Old English and Old French clerc, meaning 'clerk' or 'cleric,' referring to someone who could read and write — a rare and valuable skill in medieval Europe. The word itself traces to the Latin clericus and Greek klērikos, relating to the clergy. As surnames go, Clarke and Clark were among the most common occupational surnames in medieval England, given to scribes, secretaries, and clergymen. As a first name, Clark carries a crisp, professional quality.

Clark has experienced a revival as a first name in the 2010s-2020s, riding the wave of popularity for one-syllable surname names. The Superman connection (Clark Kent) gives the name a heroic dimension that many parents find appealing rather than limiting.

In American culture, Clark is indelibly linked to Clark Kent, the secret identity of Superman, created in 1938. The name carries connotations of hidden strength, reliability, and all-American integrity. Historically, explorer William Clark (of Lewis and Clark fame) gave the name an adventurous, pioneering legacy.

Fun Facts

Clark Kent, Superman's alter ego, was named after actors Clark Gable and Kent Taylor by creators Siegel and Shuster
Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark mapped much of the American West in 1804-1806

Clark in Other Languages

French Clarke

German Clark

Spanish Clark

Japanese クラーク

Famous People Named Clark

Clark Gable

Actor

1901

American film actor known as 'The King of Hollywood,' famous for his role as Rhett Butler in 'Gone with the Wind'

William Clark

Explorer

1770

American explorer who co-led the Lewis and Clark Expedition, mapping the western United States from 1804-1806

Clark Kent Fictional

Other

The mild-mannered Daily Planet reporter who is secretly Superman, DC Comics' iconic superhero

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #438
Total SSA Count: 725
Cultural Origins: English American Scottish
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Clarence #1563 Clarke #3358

Nicknames

Cla Cly Claie

Pairs Well With

Clark James Clark Henry Clark William Clark Reid Clark Thomas Clark Joseph

Sibling Names

Fletcher Greer Avery Brooks Sutton Wren

Also a Girl Name

Clark is also used as a girl name, ranked #6150.

View Clark as a girl name →

Similar Names

Jake Wade Clay Clarke Blaine Brooks Nate Blair

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Clark

What does the name Clark mean?

"clerk, scribe, secretary" (from Old English/Old French). "one who is learned" (from Latin (clericus)). Clark derives from the Old English and Old French clerc, meaning 'clerk' or 'cleric,' referring to someone who could read and write — a rare and valuable skill in medieval Europe. The word itself traces to the Latin clericus and Greek klērikos, relating to the clergy. As surnames go, Clarke and Clark were among the most common occupational surnames in medieval England, given to scribes, secretaries, and clergymen. As a first name, Clark carries a crisp, professional quality.

What is the origin of the name Clark?

Clark has Old English/Old French, Latin (clericus), English, American, and Scottish origins. In Old English/Old French, it means "clerk, scribe, secretary". In Latin (clericus), it means "one who is learned".

Is Clark a boy or girl name?

Clark is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #438. As a girl name, it is ranked #6150. Clark is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Clark?

Clark is pronounced kl-AHRK.

How popular is the name Clark?

Clark is currently ranked #438 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Clark?

Common nicknames for Clark include Cla, Cly, and Claie.

What are good middle names for Clark?

Popular middle name pairings include Clark James, Clark Henry, Clark William, Clark Reid, Clark Thomas, and Clark Joseph.

What are good sibling names for Clark?

Names that pair well with Clark as siblings include Fletcher, Greer, Avery, Brooks, Sutton, and Wren.

How many syllables does Clark have?

Clark has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Clark a common or rare name?

Clark is a popular name, ranked #438 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Clark

Clark is a boy name with English, American, and Scottish origins . The name means "clerk, scribe, secretary" in Old English/Old French .

Is Clark a boy or girl name? Clark is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #438 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #6,150. Clark is more commonly used as a boy name.

Clark is currently ranked #438 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Clark has 1 syllable and is pronounced kl-AHRK, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Clark include Cla, Cly, and Claie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Clark include Clarence, Clarke . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.