Holding steady, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Claudius since 1890
Babies named Claudius per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Claudius's real moment was 1893.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 20 |
| 1900s | 8 |
| 1910s | 136 |
| 1920s | 147 |
| 1930s | 119 |
| 1940s | 84 |
| 1950s | 104 |
| 1960s | 74 |
| 1970s | 66 |
| 1980s | 56 |
| 1990s | 61 |
| 2000s | 23 |
| 2010s | 24 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
The Latin name Claudius has been used as a given name since antiquity, though it has never been common in the United States. Its earliest records in Social Security data date back to 1890, and in 2025 it ranked 10,695th with only about 1 in 284,679 newborn boys receiving the name. Its peak year of usage was 1893, during a brief uptick in the late 19th century. Since then, the name has remained extremely rare, with no recorded use in most states. Parents choosing Claudius today often cite its strong Roman heritage and literary associations, though it remains a bold, uncommon choice.
Claudius is a Roman family name derived from Latin 'claudus,' meaning 'lame.' The gens Claudia was one of the most prominent patrician families in ancient Rome, producing several emperors and notable figures. The name entered common use in various European languages through historical and literary references, though it has never been widely popular as a given name in modern times.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Claude
Sibling names for Claudius
Names that share Claudius's style, for a brother or sister.
