Clay
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Clay, mortal
Origin: Old English
Popularity: Ranked #573 in 2025 with 515 babies born.
History: Clay derives from the Old English word for clay, the earth material. It was an occupational or topographic surname before becoming a given name. It is associated with statesman Henry Clay and boxer Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), and carries a rugged American character.
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Clay? About 1 in 6,463 babies born in 2025 were named Clay, or roughly 1.4 per day in the United States.
Explore more baby names at BabyNa.me — 29,000+ names with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.
Loading name...
Frequently asked about Clay
What does the name Clay mean?
Clay means “Clay, mortal” from Old English roots.
What is the origin of the name Clay?
Clay has Old English origin. The traditional meaning is “Clay, mortal”.
How popular is Clay?
Clay ranked #573 in 2025 — given to 515 babies that year.
When was Clay most popular?
Clay peaked in 1960 with 904 babies registered that year.
Is Clay a boy or girl name?
Clay is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Clays in registered births are male.
Is the name Clay rising or falling in popularity?
Clay has risen 14767 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #15340 in 2020 to #573 in 2025.
How long has Clay been recorded?
Clay appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.