Clover is a unique and charming given name of Irish origin. The name is derived from the Irish surname Clóire, which is believed to have been an anglicized form of the Gaelic personal name Clougherbhaile. Clougherbhaile is composed of two elements: cluain, meaning "meadow," and Bhaile, meaning "town or homestead." Therefore, the name Clover could be translated as "meadow town" or "meadow homestead."
The name Clover has been used throughout history in various forms. In Ireland, it was a popular surname for centuries, with many notable figures bearing the Clóire name. One example is Mary Clougherty, an Irish immigrant who played a significant role in the development of the Ladies' Catholic School in New York City during the 19th century.
While Clover has historically been more common as a surname, it began to be used as a given name in the early 20th century. Today, Clover is considered an uncommon but distinctive female given name, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. Its rarity contributes to its unique charm, making it an attractive choice for parents seeking a memorable and meaningful name for their child.
In popular culture, Clover has been used as a character name in several works of fiction. One notable example is Clover Elveswood from the fantasy series "A Dance with Dragons" by George R.R. Martin. This usage may have contributed to increased visibility and recognition of the name in recent years.
In summary, Clover is an Irish given name with a beautiful meaning derived from its Gaelic roots. With its unique origin story and uncommon usage as a given name, Clover offers parents a distinctive choice for their child's name. Its rarity ensures that a child named Clover will stand out and carry a meaningful moniker with deep historical roots.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Clover:
From 1897 to 2023, there have been a total of 4570 babies named Clover born in the United States. This makes Clover a relatively uncommon name for newborns.
The popularity of the name Clover has varied significantly over time. In its early years, it was moderately popular with around 5 births per year between 1897 and 1924. However, starting from 1925, the number of babies named Clover began to decline steadily, reaching as low as 6 births in some years during the mid-20th century.
It wasn't until the late 1990s that we started seeing an increase in popularity for the name Clover again. In 1997, there were 17 babies named Clover, marking the beginning of a steady upward trend in its usage as a baby name.
The most significant increase happened in recent years. For instance, in 2022 alone, there were 433 babies named Clover, which is a dramatic rise from just 6 births in some years earlier. This indicates that Clover has become increasingly popular among parents choosing names for their newborn daughters.
In fact, the year with the highest number of babies named Clover was 2021, with a total of 319 births. The second-highest year was 2020, with 232 births.
These statistics show that while the name Clover has had periods of low popularity, it has seen a resurgence in recent years and is now one of the more popular names for newborn girls in the United States.