Clarke is a unique and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the occupational surname "Clark," which was originally an Anglicized version of the Scottish Gaelic name "MacLeòid," meaning "son of Laoidh." Laoidh is a Gaelic byname meaning "disciple" or "follower of Christ." Therefore, the surname Clarke, and subsequently the given name Clarke, can be interpreted as meaning "son of a disciple of Christ."
The use of Clarke as a given name is not very common, but it has been used throughout history. One notable figure with the name Clarke was Sir Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008), the renowned British science fiction author and futurist who is best known for co-writing the screenplay for the film "2001: A Space Odyssey" and popularizing the concept of communication satellites in geostationary orbit.
In terms of popularity, Clarke has not ranked among the top 1000 most popular boy names in the United States since the Social Security Administration began recording names in 1900. However, it has been used sparingly throughout history and continues to be an option for those looking for a distinctive name with a unique meaning.
In conclusion, Clarke is a rare but meaningful given name of English origin that can be traced back to its roots in Scottish Gaelic. With a fascinating historical figure bearing the name, Clarke remains an intriguing choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their child.
The name Clarke has seen a fluctuating trend in popularity over the years in the United States, as reflected by the birth statistics provided.
From 1880 to 1946, the number of births with the name Clarke varied between 5 and 60 births per year. The highest peaks during this period occurred in 1933 (40 births) and 1947 (61 births). After reaching a peak in the late 1940s, the popularity of the name Clarke began to decline.
From 1950 onwards, the number of births with the name Clarke fluctuated between 24 and 60 births per year. The highest peaks during this period occurred in 1954 (60 births) and 1963 (53 births). However, from the mid-1970s onwards, there was a steady decline in the popularity of the name Clarke.
In the late 1980s to early 1990s, the number of births with the name Clarke increased slightly, with peaks occurring in 1983 (35 births), 1986 (33 births), and 1989 (37 births). However, this upward trend did not continue, and the popularity of the name Clarke continued to decline throughout the 1990s.
In the early 2000s, the number of births with the name Clarke fluctuated between 14 and 32 births per year. The highest peak during this period occurred in 2016 (61 births). However, after reaching this peak, the popularity of the name Clarke began to decline again.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Clarke has continued to fluctuate but remains relatively low compared to its peak in the late 1940s. As of 2023, there have been a total of 3837 births with the name Clarke in the United States since 1880.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Clarke has seen some peaks and valleys over the years, it remains a relatively uncommon name compared to other popular names in the United States.