Holding steady, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Cleon since 1884
Babies named Cleon per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cleon's real moment was 1903.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 16 |
| 1890s | 0 | 23 |
| 1900s | 10 | 59 |
| 1910s | 59 | 342 |
| 1920s | 69 | 565 |
| 1930s | 46 | 450 |
| 1940s | 5 | 311 |
| 1950s | 0 | 257 |
| 1960s | 0 | 225 |
| 1970s | 0 | 323 |
| 1980s | 0 | 134 |
| 1990s | 0 | 123 |
| 2000s | 0 | 69 |
| 2010s | 0 | 62 |
| 2020s | 0 | 41 |
Meaning & origin
Cleon is a rare Greek name with ancient roots, most notably borne by the Athenian politician Cleon. Its popularity peaked in 1903, and since then its use has declined sharply, with only a handful of newborn boys receiving the name each year. In the most recent data for 2025, Cleon ranked 9,714th in the U.S., appearing roughly once in every 244,011 births. The name maintains a stable but minimal presence, clinging to a niche among parents seeking a classical name with a strong, concise sound.
Cleon is a name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek name Kleon, which is related to 'kleos' meaning 'fame' or 'glory.' In ancient history, Cleon was an Athenian statesman during the Peloponnesian War, known for his populist policies. The name saw modest use in the English-speaking world, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but has since become rare.
“Cleon” around the world
Where Cleon lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Cleonas
Sibling names for Cleon
Names that share Cleon's style, for a brother or sister.
