Is Clinton a boy's or girl's name?

Clinton is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 438 recorded births.

When was Clinton most popular?

Clinton reached its peak popularity in 1981 with 2,206 births that year. It is currently ranked #1933 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Clinton?

Clinton is currently ranked #1933 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 97,473 babies since 1880.

Clinton

A Old English name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld EnglishDeclining Also a pet name

#1933▼ 271in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname. A surname from Irish. Bill Clinton, 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Hillary Clinton, 67th United States secretary of state from 2009 to 2013.

Clinton is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, derived from a surname meaning 'settlement on the River Glyme' or 'hill settlement,' from the Old English clif (cliff, slope) and tun (settlement, farm).

Clinton has been carried by multiple notable Americans — DeWitt Clinton, who championed the Erie Canal, and Bill Clinton, the 42nd president. As a given name, it was most popular in the mid-20th century, carrying the sturdy, presidential energy of surname-turned-first-name choices. A name with genuine authority without being grandiose.

Compare Clinton with another name

Popularity Over Time

Clinton was #731 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1933, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Clinton
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	568	#1566	▼
2010s	1,912	#1062	▼
2000s	2,585	#761	▼
1990s	7,930	#405	▼
1980s	17,536	#161	▲
1970s	16,346	#158	▲
1960s	10,268	#236	▲
1950s	9,323	#232	▲
1940s	7,706	#208	▲
1930s	6,708	#193	▼
1920s	8,443	#172	▲
1910s	5,302	#171	▲
1900s	1,122	#175	▲
1890s	857	#174	—
1880s	867	#157	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Clinton
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	81	#1933	-22 (-21.4%)
2023	103	#1662	-30 (-22.6%)
2022	133	#1396	+11 (9.0%)
2021	122	#1469	-7 (-5.4%)
2020	129	#1369	+4 (3.2%)
2019	125	#1408	-33 (-20.9%)
2018	158	#1195	+18 (12.9%)
2017	140	#1295	-47 (-25.1%)
2016	187	#1057	-14 (-7.0%)
2015	201	#1012	-33 (-14.1%)
2014	234	#915	+14 (6.4%)
2013	220	#927	-7 (-3.1%)
2012	227	#912	+6 (2.7%)
2011	221	#912	+22 (11.1%)
2010	199	#990	-27 (-11.9%)
2009	226	#912	-22 (-8.9%)
2008	248	#855	-43 (-14.8%)
2007	291	#756	+51 (21.3%)
2006	240	#843	-39 (-14.0%)
2005	279	#726	+21 (8.1%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Clinton as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Clinton has also been given to 438 girls in the U.S. since 1918.

Unranked

Current rank

438

Total births

1984

Peak year

Compare Clinton as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Clinton be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Clinton is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1933. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Clinton has two lives

Clinton, the baby name

#1933boys

97,473 babies

Currently viewing

Clinton, the pet name

#3934pet name

19 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology