Declining since 1986, #3,036 for boys today.
Popularity of Claude since 1880
Babies named Claude per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Claude's real moment was 1887.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 3,504 |
| 1890s | 3,636 |
| 1900s | 3,704 |
| 1910s | 12,792 |
| 1920s | 16,999 |
| 1930s | 12,741 |
| 1940s | 12,820 |
| 1950s | 10,831 |
| 1960s | 6,436 |
| 1970s | 3,244 |
| 1980s | 2,034 |
| 1990s | 1,195 |
| 2000s | 699 |
| 2010s | 472 |
| 2020s | 230 |
Meaning & origin
Claude is a classic French name with Latin roots that enjoyed its greatest popularity in the late 19th century, reaching its peak rank in 1887. In 2025, the name ranked 3,036, with approximately 1 in 42,702 boys receiving the name. Its trajectory has been falling since 1986, reflecting a broader decline in traditional French names in the United States. The name was most common in Georgia and Texas, states with historical French influence and settlement. Despite its waning usage, Claude retains a distinguished air, associated with artists like Claude Monet and several French saints. Parents today may find it an underused vintage choice with a soft, elegant sound.
Claude is the French form of the Roman family name Claudius, derived from the Latin 'claudus' meaning 'lame' or 'limping'. The name was borne by several early saints, including Saint Claude of Besançon, and was popularized in France by the House of Guise and later by the Impressionist painter Claude Monet. In English-speaking countries, it saw peak usage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with a notable decline in recent decades.
Where Claude 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.
“Claude” around the world
Where Claude lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Claude
Names that share Claude's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Alice, Elise, Marie, Catherine, Louise, Essie, Leola, Lorraine, Adell, Arlie, Belva, Claudette, Claudie, Claudine, Corrine, Delois, Exie, Floy, Idella, Iola, Ivette, Jetta, Leatha, Lela, Leota, Lessie, Letha, Lovie, Martine, Monet, Nanette, Nelle, Ova, Pearlie, Reta, Tressa, Twila, Classie, Cleora, Delcie, Denyse, Earlean, Elba, Etha, Eura, Fleta, Hazle, Launa, Lavada, Lavera, Loma, Monette, Myrl, Oneta, Onie, Osie, Reita, Rilla, Vennie, Vertie, Voncile, Wava, Bonna, Bula, Buna, Claudene, Cledith, Cleola, Cleona, Cloteal, Corean, Dallie, Deette, Dellar, Ferol, Floye, Imo, Lavergne, Leoda, Leoma, Loleta, Lorrayne, Luevenia, Maeola, Maudine, Mayola, Nadyne, Neita, Nelva, Neola, Nobie, Odean, Omie, Opha, Orene, Orva, Parlee, Paulett, Pearlean, Pluma, Reeda, Ruie, Sayde, Trinette, Ura, Vassie, Vermell, Anthonette, Arkie, Barbette, Carle, Claudean, Claudetta, Deniese, Detta, Dorette, Ghislaine, Goldia, Icie, Ioma, Iretta, Jearlene, Lafern, Lattie, Lether, Levette, Loeta, Lucill, Merlie, Modean, Modene, Monda, Nadege, Oletta, Ople, Ozelle, Pairlee, Pearlee, Pernie, Suzane, Verta, Yoland, Dama, Axie, Babbette, Cele, Chantale, Claudeen, Claudett, Clemma, Eulla, Ezma, Fayne, Foye, Goldye, Idonna, Ineza, Jolayne, Lealer, Lenis, Leveda, Lulamae, Lurlean, Maryse, Orean, Ortha, Polette, Quida, Rebie, Rexine, Searcy, Sible, Suda, Sybol, Therma, Vear, Venida, Verbie, Versia, Wavie, Yolette
Brothers: Louis, Henri, Charles, Jean, Pierre, Floyd, Coy, Errol, Gilmer, Hoyt, Loyd, Lue, Merle, Odis, Otha, Rance, Verne, Alvie, Arch, Boyce, Earlie, Foy, Harland, Macon, Manley, Monta, Murl, Verle, Antoinne, Beauford, Blase, Boss, Buel, Buell, Cleave, Clois, Curlee, Dow, Erle, Erman, Estil, Eual, Euel, French, Gaither, Handy, Haskel, Haynes, Hoke, Hoy, Hulen, Lafe, Lamoine, Legrand, Lemoyne, Loney, Morrell, Murle, Purvis, Rozell, Vollie, Birt, Burk, Burrel, Bynum, Delmus, Deroy, Ebb, Elmus, Hamp, Irl, Laymon, Less, Loel, Norval, Oather, Okey, Onis, Redell, Rollan, Vernel, Bearl, Garl, Othal, Bonner, Brace, Burris, Byard, Cleburn, Dewell, Harl, Huie, Leray, Loyed, Mead, Mearle, Mirl, Mort, Newel, Odas, Orvie, Osby, Tunis
