Clem
Primarily a boy's name of Latin origin with 4,275 recorded births. Also given to 54 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A unisex given name. A diminutive of the male given name Clement. A diminutive of the female given name Clementine.
Clem is a unisex baby name of Latin origin, a diminutive of Clement (for boys) or Clementine (for girls), from the Latin clemens, meaning 'mild, merciful, gentle.' It was both a given name and a common nickname throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Clem carries a warm, rural American character — the kind of name that belongs to someone who fixes things, tells long stories, and is always there when needed. Unhurried and good-natured, Clem is a name with genuine heart.
EtymologyShow more
Clem is built from 4 letters and one syllable — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Latin naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Clem creates its characteristic sharp, distinct quality. One-syllable names stand out for their directness. Every sound carries weight, making pronunciation and first impressions immediate.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Clem has 121+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 20 | #10587 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 26 | #9822 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 32 | #7519 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 87 | #4464 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 111 | #3370 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 244 | #1702 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 355 | #1286 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 499 | #945 | — |
| 1930s | 551 | #852 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 845 | #706 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 719 | #595 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 221 | #496 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 267 | #359 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 298 | #318 | — |
The Story of Clem
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1917, Clem is a name steeped in history. Boys named Clem are most likely born between 1907 and 1927.
How rare is Clem?
With 4,275 total births on record, Clem remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 845 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Clem by the numbers
- Would fill 89 school buses
- Meeting one Clem per day would take 11.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(121 years, 1880–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 9 | #8283 |
| 2015 | 5 | #12426 |
| 2012 | 6 | #11051 |
| 2008 | 7 | #10063 |
| 2006 | 6 | #10915 |
| 2001 | 8 | #7657 |
| 2000 | 5 | #10654 |
| 1994 | 7 | #7086 |
| 1993 | 5 | #8950 |
| 1992 | 5 | #8636 |
| 1991 | 9 | #5586 |
| 1990 | 6 | #7338 |
| 1989 | 6 | #7117 |
| 1988 | 9 | #4853 |
| 1987 | 8 | #5048 |
| 1985 | 12 | #3631 |
| 1984 | 10 | #3974 |
| 1983 | 12 | #3440 |
| 1982 | 9 | #4290 |
| 1981 | 13 | #3249 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Clem as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Clem has also been given to 54 girls in the U.S. since 1889.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clem a boy's or girl's name?
When was Clem most popular?
How popular is the name Clem?
Can Clem be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2017