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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Clay, earth; occupational surname for a clay-worker
- Origin
- English (Old English clǣġ)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- KLAY
Clay is a short, grounded English name that traces back to the Old English word clǡġ, meaning clay or earth — it began as an occupational surname for someone who worked with clay. It's pronounced KLAY, plain and easy to say, with an earthy, natural feel to match its meaning.
Meaning & Origin of Clay
Meaning: Clay, earth; occupational surname for a clay-worker.
Origin: English (Old English clǣġ).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Clay
KLAYIPA /ˈkleɪ/
Popularity of Clay
Clay hit its high point in 1961, when 900 boys were given the name and it ranked #259. By 2024 it had settled to #543, with 545 babies named Clay that year.
Names Like Clay
These names share Clay’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Clay mean?
Clay, earth; occupational surname for a clay-worker. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Clay?
Clay is pronounced KLAY (IPA: /ˈkleɪ/).
Is Clay a popular name right now?
Clay peaked at #259 in 1961 and is ranked #543 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Clay Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Clay, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Clay? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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