Clyde

Pronunciation: [ kl-EYED ]

Boy Name #728 Most Popular Rising 1 Syllable

A Scottish river name making a bold American comeback

Scottish English American

Vintage Bold Earthy Strong Classic

Meaning & Origin

"from the River Clyde"

Origin: Scottish Celtic

Language: Scottish Gaelic

"the cleansing one"

Origin: Brythonic Celtic

Language: Celtic

Things to Know About This Name

Associated with Clyde Barrow of Bonnie and Clyde outlaw duo

The Story of Clyde

Clyde derives from the ancient Celtic name of Scotland's River Clyde, 'Clouta' or 'Clota,' meaning 'the cleansing one' or possibly 'heard from afar.' The River Clyde flows through Glasgow, one of Scotland's most important industrial cities. The name came into use as a given name in the 19th century, particularly in Scotland and among Scottish-American communities.

Clyde was a US top-100 name from 1880-1940, beloved in the American South and Midwest. It fell from fashion mid-century but is experiencing a vintage revival alongside names like Roy, Earl, and Earl as millennial parents rediscover grandparent-era names.

The River Clyde shaped Scottish industrial history — the 'Clydebuilt' ships made on its banks were world-renowned. In American history, Clyde is forever linked to Depression-era outlaws Bonnie and Clyde, an ambiguous cultural association that can read as either romantic or criminal depending on perspective.

Fun Facts

Ships 'Clydebuilt' on the River Clyde included the Lusitania and the Queen Mary
Clyde ranked in the US top 50 names from 1905-1929, making it a true vintage classic

Clyde in Other Languages

Welsh Clud

French Clyde

Spanish Clyde

Scottish Gaelic Clud

Famous People Named Clyde

Clyde Drexler

Athlete

1962

NBA Hall of Fame shooting guard nicknamed 'Clyde the Glide,' played for Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets

Clyde Barrow

Other

1909

American outlaw who with Bonnie Parker became one of Depression-era America's most notorious criminal duos

Clyde (Pac-Man ghost) Fictional

Other

The orange ghost in Pac-Man arcade games, known for erratic movement patterns

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #728
Total SSA Count: 359
Cultural Origins: Scottish English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Nicknames

Cly Clyie

Pairs Well With

Clyde River Clyde James Clyde Owen Clyde Bennett Clyde Douglas Clyde Edward Clyde Ray

Sibling Names

Bonnie Roy Earl Pearl Ruby Dale Vera

Also a Girl Name

Clyde is also used as a girl name, ranked #24371.

View Clyde as a girl name →

Similar Names

Faith Roy Claude Floyd Lloyd Royal Boyd Hoyt

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Clyde

What does the name Clyde mean?

"from the River Clyde" (from Scottish Celtic). "the cleansing one" (from Brythonic Celtic). Clyde derives from the ancient Celtic name of Scotland's River Clyde, 'Clouta' or 'Clota,' meaning 'the cleansing one' or possibly 'heard from afar.' The River Clyde flows through Glasgow, one of Scotland's most important industrial cities. The name came into use as a given name in the 19th century, particularly in Scotland and among Scottish-American communities.

What is the origin of the name Clyde?

Clyde has Scottish Celtic, Brythonic Celtic, Scottish, English, and American origins. In Scottish Celtic, it means "from the River Clyde". In Brythonic Celtic, it means "the cleansing one".

Is Clyde a boy or girl name?

Clyde is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #728. As a girl name, it is ranked #24371. Clyde is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Clyde?

Clyde is pronounced kl-EYED.

How popular is the name Clyde?

Clyde is currently ranked #728 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Clyde?

Common nicknames for Clyde include Cly and Clyie.

What are good middle names for Clyde?

Popular middle name pairings include Clyde River, Clyde James, Clyde Owen, Clyde Bennett, Clyde Douglas, Clyde Edward, and Clyde Ray.

What are good sibling names for Clyde?

Names that pair well with Clyde as siblings include Bonnie, Roy, Earl, Pearl, Ruby, Dale, and Vera.

How many syllables does Clyde have?

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

Is Clyde a common or rare name?

Clyde is moderately common, ranked #728 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Clyde

Clyde is a boy name with Scottish, English, and American origins . The name means "from the River Clyde" in Scottish Celtic .

Is Clyde a boy or girl name? Clyde is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #728 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #24,371. Clyde is more commonly used as a boy name.

Clyde is currently ranked #728 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

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

Common nicknames for Clyde include Cly and Clyie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.