Cletus is a unique and uncommon male given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "Cletius," which means "clumsy" or "awkward." While it may seem unusual to choose a name with such a meaning, it's important to note that in ancient Roman times, names were often given based on physical characteristics or personality traits.
The name Cletus has historical significance as it was the name of several early Christian saints. One of the most notable is Saint Cletus, who was a pope and martyr during the 1st century AD. He was appointed as the fourth pope by Saint Peter himself, and he served from around 76 to 88 AD until his martyrdom. This association with saintliness has contributed to the name's enduring legacy.
Despite its historical significance and connection to saints, Cletus remains relatively uncommon today. In recent years, it has been used more frequently in the United States, perhaps due to a renewed interest in unique and historic names. However, it is still considered a distinctive choice, particularly for families looking for a name with a strong religious or historical background.
In conclusion, Cletus is an unusual yet meaningful male given name of Latin origin. While its meaning may be somewhat unexpected, it carries a rich history tied to early Christianity and offers a unique opportunity to honor that heritage while choosing a distinctive name.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe that the name Cletus has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over time in the United States.
During the late 1800s to early 1900s, there was a gradual increase in babies named Cletus each year, starting from just five births in 1886. This trend continued until reaching a peak of 24 births in 1907.
However, this popularity did not last long. From the late 1900s to around the mid-1930s, the number of babies named Cletus began to decline steadily, dropping from 233 births in 1922 to a low of just nine births in 1934.
This downward trend continued into the 1940s and 1950s, with an average of around 70-80 births per year. It wasn't until the late 1960s that the popularity of the name Cletus began to rise again slightly, with numbers fluctuating between 30 and 60 births per year.
From the 1970s onwards, the number of babies named Cletus continued to decline, with fewer than ten births each year. This trend has remained consistent up until recent years, with an average of around five to nine births per year from 2000 to 2022.
In total, over the period from 1886 to 2022, there have been approximately 7420 babies named Cletus born in the United States.