A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Clark since 1880
Babies named Clark per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1961, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Clark's real moment was 1881.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 513 |
| 1890s | 505 |
| 1900s | 502 |
| 1910s | 2,383 |
| 1920s | 2,914 |
| 1930s | 3,763 |
| 1940s | 5,050 |
| 1950s | 6,631 |
| 1960s | 6,140 |
| 1970s | 2,534 |
| 1980s | 3,014 |
| 1990s | 2,692 |
| 2000s | 2,742 |
| 2010s | 6,880 |
| 2020s | 4,588 |
Meaning & origin
Clark is an English surname-turned-first-name that originally denoted a clerk or scholar. First recorded in U.S. data in 1880, it reached its peak popularity in 1881, when it ranked 377th overall. After decades of decline, Clark has been rising again since 2001, driven by a revival of classic surname-style names. Today it is given to roughly 1 in 2,041 boys nationwide. The name is most common in Washington, D.C., Utah, and Idaho, reflecting its appeal in both urban and Western states. Its straightforward spelling and strong consonant sound give it a clean, professional feel, while its historical roots add a layer of scholarly tradition.
Clark derives from the Old English "clerc," meaning a clerk or scholar, ultimately from Latin "clericus." Originally a surname for a literate person or a member of a religious order, it became established as a given name in the 19th century, particularly in the United States.
Where Clark is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Clark” around the world
Where Clark lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Clarke
Sibling names for Clark
Names that share Clark's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Clark
Names whose popularity has moved with Clark's over the last 50 years.
