Given name & surname
Clyde
“from the river Clyde”
Clyde is used as a given name and a surname. One Scottish interpretation is “from the river Clyde.” Its derivation is not certain.
Meaning & origin
What it means
One Scottish interpretation is “from the river Clyde.” Its derivation is not certain.
Where it comes from
A possible origin is Scottish, although the derivation remains uncertain.
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.
From dated birth records
Clyde through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 148,926
- 144,994 boys · 3,932 girls
- Most popular year
- 1920
- 3,164 babies
- 2025
- 350
- #743 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +13%
- Rising
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 100% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 350 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 743 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 12.6% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 3,069 in 1920. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (37). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 47,655 as a first name in 2020; 3,685 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.
Clyde’s family of names
Clyde has a feminine form in Clydette. Clyde has a related form in Clydell. Clyde has a related form in Clide.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 2
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 2
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Clyde
- Clyde TombaughAmerican astronomer (1906–1997)
- Clyde DrexlerAmerican basketball player (born 1962)
- Clyde Cowanco-discoverer of the neutrino1919–1974
- Clyde McPhatterAmerican singer (1932–1972)1931–1972
- Clyde GeronimiAmerican animator and film director (1901-1989)
- Clyde LovelletteAmerican basketball player (1929–2016)
- Clyde BarrowAmerican bank robber (1909-1934)
- Clyde BeattyAmerican circus performer (1903-1965)
- Clyde CessnaAmerican aircraft designer (1879-1954)
Characters named Clyde: Clyde Donovan (South Park).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Clyde, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
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98% boys · 2% girls
Virgil
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>99% boys