Declining since 2020, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Clarkson since 1915
Babies named Clarkson per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 16 |
| 1920s | 23 |
| 1930s | 10 |
| 1940s | 11 |
| 1950s | 14 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 39 |
| 2020s | 43 |
Meaning & origin
Clarkson is a rare English surname-turned-given name, first recorded in 1915. It means 'son of Clark', from the occupational name for a clerk or scribe. The name saw its peak popularity in 2019, but remains uncommon; in 2025 it ranked 12,008th, with about 1 in 341,615 boys receiving the name. Its use has been falling since 2020, reflecting a shift away from traditional surname names. Clarkson has never been regionally concentrated in any top state, consistent with its sporadic usage across the country. The name offers a distinctive alternative to more common -son surnames like Jackson or Mason, with the built-in nickname Clark.
Clarkson is a transferred use of an English surname meaning 'son of Clark'. Clark itself comes from the Old English 'clerc' meaning 'clerk' or 'scribe'. As a given name, Clarkson emerged in the late 19th century, following the Victorian fashion for using surnames as first names. It has seen occasional use, particularly in the United States, but remains rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Clark, Sonny
Sibling names for Clarkson
Names that share Clarkson's style, for a brother or sister.
