Clay vs Theodore

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
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #544 for Clay.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Clay ___

  • Clay Thomas
  • Clay Allen
  • Clay James
  • Clay Robert
  • Clay Edward
  • Clay Henry

Theodore ___

  • Theodore James
  • Theodore William
  • Theodore Alexander
  • Theodore John
  • Theodore Henry
  • Theodore Arthur

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Clay

Brock Wade Sawyer Reed Quinn

If you choose Theodore

Olivia Charlotte Amelia Eleanor Oliver

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clay or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Clay at #544 in the United States.

What do Clay and Theodore mean?

Clay means "clay settlement, clay worker" (Old English origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Clay and Theodore boy or girl names?

Clay is primarily a boy name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

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