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Name Lineage

    The first name Clyde

    A boy’s name meaning “the cleansing one”.

    Pronounced /klaɪd/ 1 syllable Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    Clyde means “the cleansing one”.

    From Scottish Gaelic Cluaidh, the name of a river in Scotland, of uncertain origin. Possibly influenced by clut (“the cleansing one”).

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 3 boys were named Clyde, making it the 5,137th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2004, with 11 births (#1,498).

    01020 1996200020052010201520202025
    153
    babies named Clyde, 1996–2025
    #5,137
    rank in 2025
    2004
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Clyde with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Clyde at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 350 boys born in the United States were named Clyde, the 743rd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1920, when 3,069 were.

    02,0004,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    148,926
    babies named Clyde since 1880
    #743
    rank in 2025
    1920
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Famous people named Clyde

    35 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Clyde Tombaugh
      American astronomer (1906–1997)
    • Clyde Drexler
      American basketball player (born 1962)
    • Clyde Cowan
      Co-discoverer of the neutrino, 1919–1974
    • Clyde Geronimi
      American animator and film director (1901-1989)
    • Clyde Lovellette
      American basketball player (1929–2016)
    • Clyde McPhatter
      American singer (1932–1972)
    • Clyde Beatty
      American circus performer (1903-1965)
    • Clyde Cessna
      American aircraft designer (1879-1954)
    • Clyde Kusatsu
      American actor, born 1948
    • Clyde Kluckhohn
      American anthropologist (1905–1960)
    • Clyde King
      American rear admiral and rower (1898-1982)
    • Clyde Tolson
      Associate director of the FBI (1900–1975)

    Questions

    What does the name Clyde mean?
    Clyde means “the cleansing one”.
    How popular is the name Clyde?
    In 2025, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Clyde, ranking 5,137th. Its peak was 2004, with 11 births.
    Is Clyde a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 97% of the 148,926 US babies named Clyde since 1880 were boys.
    When was Clyde most popular?
    1920 in the United States, when 3,069 babies were named Clyde, its highest rank at 68th.
    How do you pronounce Clyde?
    Clyde is /klaɪd/, one syllable.
    Is Clyde also a surname?
    Yes. Clyde is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.