Clio
Primarily a girl's name of Greek origin with 831 recorded births. Also given to 25 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A taxonomic genus within the family Cliidae – small floating sea snails, pelagic marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusks.
Clio is a girl's and boy's baby name of Greek origin, from the Greek Kleio, derived from kleos (glory, fame), meaning 'she who brings fame' or 'proclaimer of glory' — in Greek mythology, Clio was one of the nine Muses, the goddess of history and heroic poetry.
Clio is among the most intellectually distinguished of all mythological names — the Muse of History, who presided over the recording of great deeds and the preservation of memory. She is typically depicted with a scroll or parchment and the trumpet of fame. In contemporary naming culture, Clio has a clean, confident quality — three letters, a Greek mythological background, and the most prestigious of all possible patronesses: History herself.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Clio is rooted in the Greek tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1894 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Clio’s 831 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
Clio climbed 4911 spots in the last 20 years — from #10884 to #5973.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 135 | #5000 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 256 | #5411 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 156 | #7698 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 80 | #9438 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 11 | #10991 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 6 | #4845 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 11 | #4141 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 58 | #3790 | ▼ |
| 1910s | 80 | #2783 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 28 | #1908 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 10 | #1565 | — |
The Story of Clio
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2015, Clio is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Clio are most likely born between 2005 and 2024.
How rare is Clio?
Only about 1 in every 180,000 babies born in 2024 was named Clio — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1894, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 256 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Clio by the numbers
- Would fill 17 school buses
- Meeting one Clio per day would take 2.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(61 years, 1894–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | #5973 |
| 2023 | 26 | #5025 |
| 2022 | 30 | #4608 |
| 2021 | 36 | #4035 |
| 2020 | 23 | #5358 |
| 2019 | 25 | #5189 |
| 2018 | 24 | #5347 |
| 2017 | 26 | #5082 |
| 2016 | 30 | #4650 |
| 2015 | 37 | #4008 |
| 2014 | 32 | #4484 |
| 2013 | 25 | #5354 |
| 2012 | 20 | #6394 |
| 2011 | 19 | #6626 |
| 2010 | 18 | #6977 |
| 2009 | 16 | #7764 |
| 2008 | 22 | #6172 |
| 2007 | 16 | #7811 |
| 2006 | 16 | #7565 |
| 2005 | 21 | #5857 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Clio as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Clio has also been given to 25 boys in the U.S. since 1914.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clio a boy's or girl's name?
When was Clio most popular?
How popular is the name Clio?
Can Clio be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1894–2024