Holding steady.
Popularity of Clarance since 1880
Babies named Clarance per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1926, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Clarance's real moment was 1900.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 107 |
| 1890s | 123 |
| 1900s | 196 |
| 1910s | 598 |
| 1920s | 928 |
| 1930s | 763 |
| 1940s | 541 |
| 1950s | 371 |
| 1960s | 225 |
| 1970s | 111 |
| 1980s | 72 |
| 1990s | 31 |
| 2000s | 12 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
The name Clarance, a variant spelling of Clarence, saw its peak usage in the United States in the year 1900. While its exact meaning remains uncertain, it is likely derived from the Latin 'clarus', meaning 'bright' or 'famous'. This spelling has never been as common as the standard Clarence, and it has not appeared in the top 1,000 baby names in recent decades. Despite its rarity, Clarance has a historical charm that appeals to those seeking a vintage-inspired name with a unique twist. The name's trajectory has been stable, and it was first recorded in official U.S. data in 1880.
Clarance is a variant spelling of Clarence, an English surname derived from the Latin name Clarentia, itself from the Latin clarus meaning 'bright, famous' or 'clear'. The name gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century, particularly in the United States. It may also be influenced by the word 'clarence', a type of horse-drawn carriage.
“Clarance” around the world
Where Clarance lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Clarence
Sibling names for Clarance
Names that share Clarance's style, for a brother or sister.
