Clark
Meaningclerk, scribe · English
- US rank
- #377
- Syllables
- 1
- Peak
- #175 in 1881
837 babies were named Clark in the US in 2025. It has climbed 10 places in five years.
Found on lists
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
US births per million boys, 1880–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Clark you might not know, from US birth records and Wikipedia. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
Famous Clark
Clark Gable
American actor (1901–1960)
Choose Clark and your child shares a first name with Clark Gable, an American actor. A ready-made answer when someone asks “Clark, like who?” Clark Gable's Wikipedia article is available in 106 languages, a good sign of just how widely known they are.
Read about Clark Gable on Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)Photo: Unknown, Public domain (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons
- How commonAbout 1 in every 2,041 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Clark, 837 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Clark would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryClark has been in use since at least 1880, the first year US birth records were kept. That's 145 years of Clarks, and counting.
- Best yearIts best year was 1881, when it reached #175.
- Then vs nowClark is 4.4× more common today than it was in 2000. In 2000 it was given to about 1 in 9,009 baby boys; in 2025, about 1 in 2,041.
- Where it's lovedClark is most popular in Washington, D.C., where it ranks #120, followed by Utah (#185) and New Hampshire (#206). It's in the top 1,000 in 39 states.
- MeaningIn English, Clark means “clerk, scribe”. Our records link it to English and French roots.
About the name Clark
Clark is a boy name of English and French origin meaning “clerk, scribe”. It has 5 letters and 1 syllable, starting with C and ending in “-ark”. US birth records list Clark for boys from 1880 to 2025, in 146 of those 146 years. Its best year was 1881, when it ranked #175 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #377, with 837 babies.
Origin:English namesFrench names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 471 | 2,123 boys |
| 1890s | 442 | 2,263 boys |
| 1900s | 372 | 2,685 boys |
| 1910s | 359 | 2,785 boys |
| 1920s | 265 | 3,779 boys |
| 1930s | 356 | 2,807 boys |
| 1940s | 341 | 2,929 boys |
| 1950s | 329 | 3,043 boys |
| 1960s | 315 | 3,170 boys |
| 1970s | 152 | 6,568 boys |
| 1980s | 163 | 6,129 boys |
| 1990s | 138 | 7,250 boys |
| 2000s | 137 | 7,307 boys |
| 2010s | 367 | 2,724 boys |
| 2020s | 443 | 2,259 boys |
More English boy names
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Henry · ruler of the home
- Unisex name: James · supplanter
- Boy name: William · resolute protector
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Boy name: Jack · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Hudson · son of Hudde
- Unisex name: Julian · of the Julius family
Questions about the name Clark
What does the name Clark mean?
Clark means “clerk, scribe” in English.
What is the origin of the name Clark?
Clark has English, French roots in our records. Other English names include Oliver, Henry, James.
Is Clark a boy or girl name?
Clark is a boy name, though a few girls get it too.
How popular is the name Clark?
Clark ranked #377 for US boys in 2025, given to 837 babies. Its best year was 1881 (#175).