Clemente
A boy's name of Latin origin with 3,729 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A botanical plant name author abbreviation for botanist Simón de Roxas Clemente y Rubio (1777-1827).
Clemente is a boy's baby name of Latin origin, the Spanish and Italian form of Clement, meaning 'merciful, gentle, mild.' From the Latin clemens (mild, calm, merciful), it has been the name of fourteen popes and countless saints across two millennia of Christian history.
Clemente carries a warmth and humanity embedded in its very meaning — the most beloved leaders, teachers, and parents are often those who temper strength with mercy. In the United States, the name is forever associated with Roberto Clemente, the Hall of Fame Puerto Rican baseball player who was as known for his humanitarian work as his extraordinary athletic gifts. With nearly 3,730 recorded births, it has deep roots in Latino communities.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Clemente is rooted in the Latin tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1880 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Clemente’s 3,729 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Clemente was #2055 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4327, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 114 | #4527 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 286 | #3749 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 447 | #2556 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 505 | #1779 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 420 | #1606 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 415 | #1393 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 332 | #1386 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 315 | #1371 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 266 | #1406 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 230 | #1465 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 272 | #1471 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 121 | #1819 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 6 | #832 | — |
The Story of Clemente
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1996, Clemente is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Clemente are most likely born between 1986 and 2006.
How rare is Clemente?
Only about 1 in every 150,000 babies born in 2024 was named Clemente — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 505 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Clemente by the numbers
- Would fill 78 school buses
- Meeting one Clemente per day would take 10.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(115 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 | #4327 |
| 2023 | 26 | #4131 |
| 2022 | 25 | #4199 |
| 2021 | 15 | #5814 |
| 2020 | 24 | #4165 |
| 2019 | 28 | #3811 |
| 2018 | 33 | #3385 |
| 2017 | 30 | #3602 |
| 2016 | 26 | #4008 |
| 2015 | 25 | #4099 |
| 2014 | 20 | #4729 |
| 2013 | 29 | #3595 |
| 2012 | 29 | #3631 |
| 2011 | 32 | #3376 |
| 2010 | 34 | #3253 |
| 2009 | 30 | #3566 |
| 2008 | 46 | #2690 |
| 2007 | 46 | #2650 |
| 2006 | 45 | #2623 |
| 2005 | 43 | #2577 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clemente a boy's or girl's name?
When was Clemente most popular?
How popular is the name Clemente?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024