Clarence

Origin: English (from the placename Clare) — From the town of Clare, via the royal title Duke of Clarence

Boy's name · #1500 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Clarence belongs to an older America first — it reached #17 back in 1885 — yet it still appears in today's records at #1500. About 304,000 boys have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Clarence is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 13 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Clarence ranks in other countries and regions.

#772 in France (2025) · #1,287 in Canada (2024).

Famous Clarences

Clarence Seedorf — Dutch association football player and manager
Clarence Darrow — American lawyer and politician (1857–1938)
Clarence Thomas — American politician (born 1948)
Clarence Brown — American film director (1890–1987)
Clarence Clemons — American saxophonist (1942–2011)

In stories & tradition

Clarence Boddicker — RoboCop (film)
Clarence Odbody — It's a Wonderful Life (film)

What Clarences become

Among 1,233 notable people named Clarence:

Business leaders appear 1.51× more often than among typical names — e.g. Clarence Dillon, American banker.

Similar names: Fred · Clark · Laurence · Luther · Clifford · Terrence

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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