Holding steady, #4,539 for boys today.
Popularity of Clemente since 1880
Babies named Clemente per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1996, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Clemente's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 6 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 121 |
| 1920s | 272 |
| 1930s | 230 |
| 1940s | 266 |
| 1950s | 315 |
| 1960s | 332 |
| 1970s | 415 |
| 1980s | 420 |
| 1990s | 505 |
| 2000s | 447 |
| 2010s | 286 |
| 2020s | 136 |
Meaning & origin
Clemente is a name with a long history, rooted in the Latin word for 'merciful'. In the U.S., it first appeared on the records in 1880, the same year it reached its peak rank of 4539. Since then, its usage has remained stable, with a recent uptick in 2025 where it was given to 1 in every 77,640 boys. The name carries a strong cultural resonance in Italian and Spanish communities, where it remains a classic choice. Clemente's trajectory has been remarkably steady, never experiencing major spikes or declines, which speaks to its enduring appeal as a traditional, understated name.
Clemente is the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese form of the Latin name Clemens, derived from 'clemens' meaning 'mild, merciful'. It was borne by several early saints, including Pope Clement I, and was used widely in Christian Europe. In Italy and Spain, it has remained a traditional given name, though its popularity has declined since the early 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cle, Clem, Mento
Sibling names for Clemente
Names that share Clemente's style, for a brother or sister.
