Cletus
Primarily a boy's name of Greek origin with 7,426 recorded births. Also given to 272 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Ancient Greek.
Cletus is a boy's and girl's baby name of Greek origin, a shortened form of Anacletus meaning 'called forth' or 'one who is invoked.' Saint Cletus (also called Anacletus) was the third Pope of Rome, succeeded Saint Linus after Saint Peter himself — making Cletus one of the earliest names in the Christian papal tradition.
With over 7,400 births in historical SSA data, Cletus has a long American history — most popular in the early-to-mid 20th century, it carries the warmth of a vintage name with genuine ancient roots.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Cletus belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their classical, dignified ending — a hallmark of Latin and Greek masculine names. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Greek naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Greek names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Cletus’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Cletus was #7644 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #11157, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 32 | #9194 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 61 | #10238 | — |
| 2000s | 63 | #9778 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 85 | #5715 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 189 | #2799 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 251 | #1957 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 536 | #1052 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 661 | #912 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 878 | #687 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 1,303 | #509 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 1,902 | #441 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 1,190 | #466 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 185 | #574 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 80 | #774 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 10 | #1030 | — |
The Story of Cletus
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1922, Cletus is a name steeped in history. Boys named Cletus are most likely born between 1912 and 1932.
How rare is Cletus?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Cletus — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1886, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 1,902 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Cletus by the numbers
- Would fill 155 school buses
- Meeting one Cletus per day would take 20.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(131 years, 1886–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #11157 |
| 2022 | 9 | #8433 |
| 2021 | 9 | #8301 |
| 2020 | 8 | #8884 |
| 2019 | 6 | #11038 |
| 2018 | 7 | #9871 |
| 2017 | 6 | #11038 |
| 2016 | 6 | #10986 |
| 2015 | 8 | #8902 |
| 2014 | 7 | #9833 |
| 2013 | 8 | #8948 |
| 2012 | 5 | #12621 |
| 2011 | 8 | #8907 |
| 2009 | 5 | #12833 |
| 2008 | 6 | #11315 |
| 2007 | 5 | #12702 |
| 2006 | 5 | #12376 |
| 2004 | 9 | #7644 |
| 2003 | 8 | #7979 |
| 2002 | 8 | #7771 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Cletus as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Cletus has also been given to 272 girls in the U.S. since 1898.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cletus a boy's or girl's name?
When was Cletus most popular?
How popular is the name Cletus?
Can Cletus be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1886–2024