Given name & surname
Clarke
“a cleric; a clerk”
Clarke is a variant of Clark. One English interpretation is “a cleric; a clerk.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Clarke is a variant of Clark. One English interpretation is “a cleric; a clerk.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Clarke is a variant of Clark. An origin associated with Clark is Latin.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Clarke is a variant of Clark. The history of Clark gives this family its wider story. Clark’s naming history includes the use of a family name as a given name.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Clarke through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 5,598
- 3,910 boys · 1,688 girls
- Most popular year
- 2021
- 192 babies
- 2025
- 177
- #1,519 for girls · #3,193 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +12%
- Rising
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 26% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 140 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 1,519 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 29.2% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. It also appeared in 37 birth records for boys in 2025. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (18). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,383 as a first name in 2020; 70,011 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Clarke’s family of names
In English usage, Clarke as a surname has a nickname in CLARKEY. In English usage, Clarke has a related form in Clark. In English usage, Clarke as a surname has a nickname in NOBBY.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
People named Clarke
- Clarke AbelBritish surgeon and naturalist (1780–1826)
- Clarke PetersAmerican actor, singer, writer and directorborn 1952
- Clarke ScholesAmerican swimmer (1930–2010)
- Clarke CarlisleEnglish association football player (born 1979)
- Clarke MacArthurCanadian ice hockey playerborn 1985
- Clarke GayfordNew Zealand radio and television broadcasterborn 1976
- Clarke JohnstoneNew Zealand equestrianborn 1987
- Clarke HinkleAmerican football player (1909-1988)
- Clarke WilmCanadian ice hockey playerborn 1976
Characters named Clarke: Clarke Griffin (The CW's TV series The 100).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Clarke, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Arie
“resembling a lion or an eagle”
36% boys · 64% girls
Laine
“one who takes the narrow path”
36% boys · 64% girls
Choyce
Choyce is a surname.
45% boys · 55% girls
Drue
“a mighty woman” · “one who is wise”
45% boys · 55% girls
Amor
“one who is loves and is loved”
27% boys · 73% girls
Arden
“one who is passionate and enthusiastic” · “from the valley of the eagles”
40% boys · 60% girls
Lael
“one who belongs to God”
49% boys · 51% girls
Rogue
Rogue is a surname.
36% boys · 64% girls