Clarke

At a Glance: Name: Clarke – Meaning: clerk, scholar – Origin: English (surname, variant of Clark) – Gender: used for both boys and girls – Pronunciation: KLARK

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Clarke is an English surname name, a variant of Clark, that comes from the occupational term for a clerk or scholar. It's the kind of name that carries a quiet, studious history behind it, since it started out describing someone's job rather than a wish or blessing for a child. If you're drawn to surname-style names with a clear, traceable meaning, Clarke fits that mold.

Meaning & Origin of Clarke

Meaning: Clerk, scholar.

Origin: English (surname, variant of Clark).

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Clarke

Phonetic: KLARK   IPA: /klɑːrk/

Popularity of Clarke

Clarke has been recorded in Social Security data since 1880, when it reached its peak popularity at #831 with 6 babies given the name. By 2024, it had fallen to #1863, with 107 babies named Clarke that year.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make Clarke Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Clarke, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Zella
• Salomon
• Klara
• Arizona
• Coral
• Edson

FAQ

What does the name Clarke mean?

Clerk, scholar. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Clarke)

How do you pronounce Clarke?

Clarke is pronounced KLARK (IPA: /klɑːrk/).

Is Clarke a popular name right now?

Clarke peaked at #831 in 1880 and is ranked #1863 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

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