Clementine

Pronunciation: [ kl-EHM-uhnt-eyen ]

Girl Name #478 Most Popular Rising 4 Syllables

A Victorian treasure meaning 'merciful and gentle'

French English American German Italian

Vintage Elegant Whimsical Literary Classic

Meaning & Origin

"mild, merciful, gentle"

Origin: Latin

Language: French

"belonging to Clement"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

The Story of Clementine

Clementine is the French feminine form of the Latin name Clementius (from Clemens), meaning 'mild, merciful, or gentle.' The Latin root 'clemens' gave us the English word 'clemency.' The name was borne by several early Christian saints and was particularly popular in France and England during the medieval period. The beloved 19th century American folk song 'Oh My Darling, Clementine' (1884) gave the name an enduring, nostalgic sweetness that has never fully faded.

After decades in the background, Clementine has seen a major revival since the 2010s as parents sought long, Victorian-era names with excellent nickname potential. It sits in the sweet spot of vintage names — old enough to feel distinctive, but not so obscure as to be burdensome.

Clementine Churchill, wife of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, was one of Britain's most admired public figures — known for her intelligence and her famous letter urging Winston to resist surrounding himself with yes-men. She gave the name an association with quiet strength behind great power.

Fun Facts

'Oh My Darling, Clementine' (1884) is one of America's most beloved folk songs, keeping this name in cultural memory for 140 years
Clementine Churchill was so valued by Winston that he called her 'my darling Clemmie' throughout their 57-year marriage
The clementine fruit was named after Father Clement Rodier, a French missionary in Algeria

Clementine in Other Languages

French Clémentine

German Klementine

Italian Clementina

Spanish Clementina

Portuguese Clementina

Famous People Named Clementine

Clementine Churchill

Humanitarian

1885

Wife of Winston Churchill, noted for her political intelligence and wartime humanitarian work

Clementine (Oh My Darling) Fictional

Other

Protagonist of the classic American folk song 'Oh My Darling, Clementine' (1884)

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 4
Popularity Rank: #478
Total SSA Count: 645
Cultural Origins: French English American German Italian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Clem Clemmie Cleo Minnie

Pairs Well With

Clementine Rose Clementine Jane Clementine Adelaide Clementine Frances Clementine Pearl Clementine Elise Clementine June

Sibling Names

Beatrice Evangeline Violet Atticus Hugo Phineas Josephine

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Clementine

What does the name Clementine mean?

"mild, merciful, gentle" (from Latin). "belonging to Clement" (from Latin). Clementine is the French feminine form of the Latin name Clementius (from Clemens), meaning 'mild, merciful, or gentle.' The Latin root 'clemens' gave us the English word 'clemency.' The name was borne by several early Christian saints and was particularly popular in France and England during the medieval period. The beloved 19th century American folk song 'Oh My Darling, Clementine' (1884) gave the name an enduring, nostalgic sweetness that has never fully faded.

What is the origin of the name Clementine?

Clementine has Latin, French, English, American, German, and Italian origins. In Latin, it means "mild, merciful, gentle". In Latin, it means "belonging to Clement".

Is Clementine a boy or girl name?

Clementine is primarily used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Clementine?

Clementine is pronounced kl-EHM-uhnt-eyen.

How popular is the name Clementine?

Clementine is currently ranked #478 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Clementine?

Common nicknames for Clementine include Clem, Clemmie, Cleo, and Minnie.

What are good middle names for Clementine?

Popular middle name pairings include Clementine Rose, Clementine Jane, Clementine Adelaide, Clementine Frances, Clementine Pearl, Clementine Elise, and Clementine June.

What are good sibling names for Clementine?

Names that pair well with Clementine as siblings include Beatrice, Evangeline, Violet, Atticus, Hugo, Phineas, and Josephine.

How many syllables does Clementine have?

Clementine has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Clementine a common or rare name?

Clementine is a popular name, ranked #478 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Clementine

Clementine is a girl name with French, English, American, German, and Italian origins . The name means "mild, merciful, gentle" in Latin .

Clementine is currently ranked #478 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Clementine has 4 syllables and is pronounced kl-EHM-uhnt-eyen, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Clementine include Clem, Clemmie, Cleo, and Minnie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.