Holding steady.
Popularity of Clete since 1948
Babies named Clete per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 44 |
| 1960s | 96 |
| 1970s | 67 |
| 1980s | 27 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 21 |
| 2010s | 20 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Clete first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1948, with its peak year of usage occurring in 1965. Despite this mid-century spike, the name has never ranked among the top 1000 and remains exceptionally rare, with a trajectory classified as stable. It is most likely a modern American coinage, possibly a variant of Cleet or an informal short form of Cletus. Parents drawn to concise, uncommon names with a vintage feel may find Clete appealing, though its lack of historical depth leaves its meaning open to interpretation.
Clete is a rare masculine given name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1948. It may be a variant of Cleet, itself perhaps a diminutive of Cletus, or an invented name. Cletus derives from the Greek name Kleitos, meaning 'renowned' or 'famous'. However, Clete as an independent name has no clear historical lineage and is considered a modern coinage.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Cleet
Sibling names for Clete
Names that share Clete's style, for a brother or sister.
