Clyde

At a Glance

Meaning

Named for the River Clyde in Scotland

Origin

Scottish (from the River Clyde)

Gender

Boy

Pronunciation

KLYDEListen

Clyde is a Scottish name taken straight from the River Clyde, so choosing it means choosing a real place rather than a soft invented meaning. You might see some baby-name sites gloss it as meaning 'warm and sunny' or 'strong tide,' but that particular claim isn't backed by any source — the river's own name is actually of uncertain origin. It's pronounced KLYDE (/ˈklaɪd/) and fits with vintage, outdoorsy, nature-inspired names.

Meaning & Origin of Clyde

Meaning: Named for the River Clyde in Scotland.

Origin: Scottish (from the River Clyde).

A common claim: Clyde is sometimes glossed on baby-name sites as meaning 'warm and sunny' or 'strong tide.' Actually: That specific gloss isn't supported by any source; the river name Clyde (Scottish Gaelic Cluaidh) is actually of uncertain origin, only possibly related to a root meaning 'the cleansing one.'

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Clyde

Popularity of Clyde

Clyde hit its peak at #50 back in 1883, when 336 boys were given the name; by 2024 it had slipped to #728, though 359 boys still received it that year.

Names Like Clyde

These names share Clyde’s style, era or origin.

• Douglas
• Murdoch
• Murray
• Allan
• Alpin
• Brooks

FAQ

What does the name Clyde mean?

Named for the River Clyde in Scotland. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Clyde?

Clyde is pronounced KLYDE (IPA: /ˈklaɪd/).

Is Clyde a popular name right now?

Clyde peaked at #50 in 1883 and is ranked #728 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Clyde Name Art

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