"scribe, secretary, scholar"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Clarke
Pronunciation: [ kl-AHRK ]
Girl Name
#1,872 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
1 Syllable
A sharp one-syllable scholar surname rising for girls
English
American
Irish
Strong
Modern
Bold
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"one who is learned, a clerk"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
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.
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
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
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
Cly
Claie
Clarie
Pairs Well With
Clarke Rose
Clarke Jane
Clarke Anne
Clarke Louise
Clarke Quinn
Clarke Wren
Clarke Marie
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Clarke is also used as a boy name, ranked #3358.
View Clarke as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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, Cly, Claie, and Clarie.
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.
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, Cly, Claie, and Clarie. 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.