Clyde

A familiar Scottish Gaelic name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsScottish GaelicDeclining slightly Also a pet name
#728 7in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A major river in Scotland, flowing from South Lanarkshire council area, past North Lanarkshire council area, through Glasgow council area, and past Renfrewshire council area and West Dunbartonshire council area, to the Firth of Clyde.

Clyde is a boy's and girl's baby name of Scottish origin, from the River Clyde in Scotland — the river name possibly derived from the Brittonic Clouta meaning 'the washer' or referring to the cleansing power of its waters.

Bonnie and Clyde, the Depression-era outlaws, gave this name a reckless romanticism that has never fully faded. Jazz musician Clyde McPhatter and athlete Clyde Drexler (nicknamed 'The Glide') show its range beyond notoriety. A vintage American name with a strong regional character.

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Popularity Over Time

Clyde climbed 419 spots in the last 20 years — from #1147 to #728.

07672k2k3k18801900192019401960198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Clyde
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s1,818
2010s2,491
2000s1,304
1990s1,686
1980s2,812
1970s4,381
1960s9,070
1950s17,907
1940s20,710
1930s22,452
1920s28,957
1910s19,864
1900s4,524
1890s3,625
1880s3,034

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(145 years, 18802024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Clyde
YearBirthsRank
2024359#728
2023367#721
2022393#685
2021352#731
2020347#715
2019299#779
2018328#729
2017349#704
2016298#794
2015288#803
2014285#806
2013196#1001
2012158#1155
2011153#1165
2010137#1268
2009140#1257
2008143#1224
2007141#1247
2006129#1291
2005125#1258

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

Clyde as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Clyde has also been given to 3,932 girls in the U.S. since 1880.

Unranked
Current rank
3,932
Total births
1917
Peak year
Compare Clyde as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Clyde be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Clyde is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #728. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Clyde has two lives

Clyde, the baby name
#728boys
144,635 babies
Currently viewing
Clyde, the pet name
#332pet name
359 pets
View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (18802024) · Methodology