Clark Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Clark Name Meaning

Fact: The name Clark first appeared in the 1100s, with many variants in England.

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A Deep Dive

Clark Overview

Meaning

Scribe, secretary, cleric, scholar, clerk

Gender

Boy

Origin

English

Etymology

Derived from the Old English “clerec,” meaning “cleric” or “scribe,” originating from the Latin “clericus”​

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/klɑrk/

Popularity

Clark is a well-known name in English-speaking countries, particularly in the USA, UK, and Australia. In the USA, it ranked #437 for boys in 2023.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

5 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Classic, Vintage, Cool

Associated Traits

Strong, intelligent, dependable, brave

Name Day

July 27th
A Deep Dive

Clark Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Clarke, Clerc, Clerk, Klark, Klerk, Clarc, Clorck, Clarck, Clor, Klarc

Common Nicknames

Clarky, Lark, Larky, C.K., Clarie, Mister C, Lar, C. Larkie, Clark Kent, Larrie K

Diminutives

Clarkie, Larkie, Clarie, Clari, Clarky-boy, Clarker, Clarry, Clazy, Clarkito, Larkito

Famous People

  • Clark Gable
    (American Actor)
  • Clark Gregg
    (American Actor)
  • Clark Duke
    (American Actor)
  • Clark Terry
    (American Musician)
  • Clark Johnson
    (Canadian Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Clark Kent
    ("Superman," Comic Series)
  • Clark Griswold
    ("National Lampoon's Vacation," Film Series)
  • Clark Edison
    ("Bones," TV Series)
  • Clark
    ("The Thing," Film)
  • Clarke Griffin
    ("The 100," TV Series)

Places

  • Clark Community
    (Wyoming, USA)
  • Clark Town
    (Wisconsin, USA)
  • Clark Community
    (Texas, USA)
  • Clark City
    (South Dakota, USA)
  • Clark Township
    (New Jersey, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Clark?

Clark means “scribe,” “clerk,” “secretary,” “cleric,” or “scholar,” signifying a person who is learned and knowledgeable.

What Is the Origin of The Name Clark?

The name Clark has its origins in English, derived from the word “clerec,” which means “cleric” or “scribe.”

Clark Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Clark in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#3962021#4272022#4372023
Top 3 Rankings#1751881#2101887#2221882

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Clark

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023437
(-10 from 2022)
707
(-22 from 2022)
0.03861
2022427
(-31 from 2021)
729
(-63 from 2021)
0.03892
2021396
(-9 from 2020)
792
No change from 2020
0.04227
2020387
(+3 from 2019)
792
(-12 from 2019)
0.04282
2019390
(-14 from 2018)
804
(-51 from 2018)
0.04184
2018376
(+3 from 2017)
855
(-6 from 2017)
0.04399
2017379
(-1 from 2016)
861
(-6 from 2016)
0.04350
2016378
(-6 from 2015)
867
(-1 from 2015)
0.04280
2015372
(+11 from 2014)
868
(+55 from 2014)
0.04246
2014383
(+73 from 2013)
813
(+196 from 2013)
0.03967
2013456
(+93 from 2012)
617
(+144 from 2012)
0.03053
2012549
(+70 from 2011)
473
(+88 from 2011)
0.02331
2011619
(+76 from 2010)
385
(+50 from 2010)
0.01895
2010695
(+13 from 2009)
335
(-1 from 2009)
0.01631
2009708
(-13 from 2008)
336
(-5 from 2008)
0.01584
2008695
(-65 from 2007)
341
(-44 from 2007)
0.01564
2007630
(+62 from 2006)
385
(+62 from 2006)
0.01738
2006692
(+99 from 2005)
323
(+78 from 2005)
0.01473
2005791
(-64 from 2004)
245
(-17 from 2004)
0.01152
2004727
(+64 from 2003)
262
(+42 from 2003)
0.01240
2003791
(+18 from 2002)
220
(+9 from 2002)
0.01047
2002809
(+9 from 2001)
211
(+10 from 2001)
0.01021
2001818
(-58 from 2000)
201
(-17 from 2000)
0.00972
2000760
(-36 from 1999)
218
(-8 from 1999)
0.01044
1999724
(+11 from 1998)
226
(+4 from 1998)
0.01108
1998735
(-69 from 1997)
222
(-23 from 1997)
0.01095
1997666
(-24 from 1996)
245
(-16 from 1996)
0.01226
1996642
(-35 from 1995)
261
(-24 from 1995)
0.01303
1995607
(+27 from 1994)
285
(+17 from 1994)
0.01417
1994634
No change from 1993
268
(+4 from 1993)
0.01315
1993634
(-13 from 1992)
264
(-12 from 1992)
0.01278
1992621
(-38 from 1991)
276
(-27 from 1991)
0.01315
1991583
(-47 from 1990)
303
(-39 from 1990)
0.01429
1990536
(-17 from 1989)
342
(+1 from 1989)
0.01589
1989519
(-5 from 1988)
341
(+22 from 1988)
0.01627
1988514
(+4 from 1987)
319
(+19 from 1987)
0.01593
1987518
(-25 from 1986)
300
(-16 from 1986)
0.01538
1986493
(+24 from 1985)
316
(+32 from 1985)
0.01644
1985517
(-37 from 1984)
284
(-18 from 1984)
0.01476
1984480
(-15 from 1983)
302
(-21 from 1983)
0.01609
1983465
(+22 from 1982)
323
(+18 from 1982)
0.01733
1982487
(+34 from 1981)
305
(+45 from 1981)
0.01616
1981521
(+10 from 1980)
260
(-2 from 1980)
0.01396
1980531
(+15 from 1979)
262
(+18 from 1979)
0.01413
1979546
(+27 from 1978)
244
(+30 from 1978)
0.01362
1978573
(-61 from 1977)
214
(-42 from 1977)
0.01252
1977512
(+69 from 1976)
256
(+59 from 1976)
0.01498
1976581
(-48 from 1975)
197
(-29 from 1975)
0.01207
1975533
(+39 from 1974)
226
(+29 from 1974)
0.01393
1974572
(-50 from 1973)
197
(-30 from 1973)
0.01208
1973522
(-47 from 1972)
227
(-46 from 1972)
0.01407
1972475
(-24 from 1971)
273
(-51 from 1971)
0.01631
1971451
(-33 from 1970)
324
(-57 from 1970)
0.01782
1970418
(-30 from 1969)
381
(-30 from 1969)
0.02000
1969388
(-12 from 1968)
411
(-15 from 1968)
0.02247
1968376
(-32 from 1967)
426
(-43 from 1967)
0.02399
1967344
(-20 from 1966)
469
(-59 from 1966)
0.02636
1966324
(-24 from 1965)
528
(-96 from 1965)
0.02905
1965300
(+4 from 1964)
624
(-44 from 1964)
0.03294
1964304
(-17 from 1963)
668
(-61 from 1963)
0.03295
1963287
(-16 from 1962)
729
(-70 from 1962)
0.03531
1962271
(-3 from 1961)
799
(-80 from 1961)
0.03802
1961268
(+49 from 1960)
879
(+272 from 1960)
0.04075
1960317
(-10 from 1959)
607
(-26 from 1959)
0.02803
1959307
(-14 from 1958)
633
(-37 from 1958)
0.02922
1958293
(+6 from 1957)
670
(+32 from 1957)
0.03109
1957299
(-22 from 1956)
638
(-71 from 1956)
0.02915
1956277
(-22 from 1955)
709
(-15 from 1955)
0.03303
1955255
(+7 from 1954)
724
(+6 from 1954)
0.03464
1954262
(+11 from 1953)
718
(+72 from 1953)
0.03470
1953273
(+1 from 1952)
646
(+9 from 1952)
0.03226
1952274
(-6 from 1951)
637
(+3 from 1951)
0.03228
1951268
(-6 from 1950)
634
(+10 from 1950)
0.03316
1950262
(+11 from 1949)
624
(+29 from 1949)
0.03431
1949273
(+14 from 1948)
595
(+44 from 1948)
0.03302
1948287
(-6 from 1947)
551
(-45 from 1947)
0.03091
1947281
(-2 from 1946)
596
(+73 from 1946)
0.03208
1946279
(+10 from 1945)
523
(+99 from 1945)
0.03169
1945289
(-6 from 1944)
424
(-13 from 1944)
0.03092
1944283
(-13 from 1943)
437
(-66 from 1943)
0.03146
1943270
(-25 from 1942)
503
(-35 from 1942)
0.03458
1942245
(+17 from 1941)
538
(+82 from 1941)
0.03820
1941262
(+10 from 1940)
456
(+29 from 1940)
0.03634
1940272
(+4 from 1939)
427
(+31 from 1939)
0.03600
1939276
(-36 from 1938)
396
(-92 from 1938)
0.03494
1938240
(+20 from 1937)
488
(+55 from 1937)
0.04294
1937260
(-6 from 1936)
433
(-4 from 1936)
0.03959
1936254
(+26 from 1935)
437
(+61 from 1935)
0.04106
1935280
(-18 from 1934)
376
(-53 from 1934)
0.03515
1934262
(+11 from 1933)
429
(+59 from 1933)
0.04040
1933273
(+31 from 1932)
370
(+34 from 1932)
0.03627
1932304
(+54 from 1931)
336
(+93 from 1931)
0.03127
1931358
(+1 from 1930)
243
(-12 from 1930)
0.02272
1930359
(+8 from 1929)
255
(+12 from 1929)
0.02258
1929367
(+12 from 1928)
243
(+3 from 1928)
0.02194
1928379
(-45 from 1927)
240
(-53 from 1927)
0.02103
1927334
(+25 from 1926)
293
(+29 from 1926)
0.02522
1926359
(-1 from 1925)
264
(-8 from 1925)
0.02305
1925358
(-7 from 1924)
272
(-11 from 1924)
0.02362
1924351
(-30 from 1923)
283
(-45 from 1923)
0.02421
1923321
(-4 from 1922)
328
(+2 from 1922)
0.02897
1922317
(-16 from 1921)
326
(-31 from 1921)
0.02897
1921301
(+31 from 1920)
357
(+49 from 1920)
0.03137
1920332
(-31 from 1919)
308
(-19 from 1919)
0.02798
1919301
(+7 from 1918)
327
No change from 1918
0.03221
1918308
(-33 from 1917)
327
(-18 from 1917)
0.03118
1917275
(+3 from 1916)
345
(+9 from 1916)
0.03596
1916278
(+18 from 1915)
336
(+47 from 1915)
0.03639
1915296
(-10 from 1914)
289
(+47 from 1914)
0.03281
1914286
(+2 from 1913)
242
(+51 from 1913)
0.03542
1913288
(-32 from 1912)
191
(+4 from 1912)
0.03562
1912256
(+78 from 1911)
187
(+119 from 1911)
0.04142
1911334
(-43 from 1910)
68
(-3 from 1910)
0.02817
1910291
(+30 from 1909)
71
(+20 from 1909)
0.03405
1909321
(-25 from 1908)
51
(-3 from 1908)
0.02884
1908296
(+28 from 1907)
54
(+11 from 1907)
0.03246
1907324
(-54 from 1906)
43
(-10 from 1906)
0.02711
1906270
(+14 from 1905)
53
(+5 from 1905)
0.03679
1905284
(-7 from 1904)
48
(+2 from 1904)
0.03351
1904277
(-14 from 1903)
46
(-3 from 1903)
0.03321
1903263
(+92 from 1902)
49
(+18 from 1902)
0.03789
1902355
(-118 from 1901)
31
(-21 from 1901)
0.02335
1901237
(-7 from 1900)
52
(-23 from 1900)
0.04499
1900230
(+16 from 1899)
75
(+29 from 1899)
0.04626
1899246
(+33 from 1898)
46
(+4 from 1898)
0.03993
1898279
(-57 from 1897)
42
(-16 from 1897)
0.03179
1897222
(+15 from 1896)
58
No change from 1896
0.04756
1896237
(+8 from 1895)
58
(+5 from 1895)
0.04494
1895245
(-5 from 1894)
53
(+3 from 1894)
0.04185
1894240
(+6 from 1893)
50
No change from 1893
0.04003
1893246
(-23 from 1892)
50
(-11 from 1892)
0.04131
1892223
(+46 from 1891)
61
(+25 from 1891)
0.04640
1891269
(-36 from 1890)
36
(-15 from 1890)
0.03295
1890233
(-7 from 1889)
51
No change from 1889
0.04261
1889226
(+36 from 1888)
51
(+6 from 1888)
0.04285
1888262
(-52 from 1887)
45
(-9 from 1887)
0.03464
1887210
(+33 from 1886)
54
(+5 from 1886)
0.04940
1886243
(+2 from 1885)
49
(+4 from 1885)
0.04116
1885245
(-18 from 1884)
45
(-10 from 1884)
0.03881
1884227
(+10 from 1883)
55
(+10 from 1883)
0.04481
1883237
(-15 from 1882)
45
(-9 from 1882)
0.04001
1882222
(-47 from 1881)
54
(-12 from 1881)
0.04425
1881175
(+61 from 1880)
66
(+17 from 1880)
0.06096
1880236
First SSA data recorded
49
First SSA data recorded
0.04139

American States Popularity Rankings for Clark

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#4552021#5862022#4872023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#4522021#5192022#5592023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#4212021#4262022#4932023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3412021#3782022#3962023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3732021#5512022#4632023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3072021#3912022#3502023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#4392021#2702022#2972023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1902021#1712022#3842023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#2362021#3052022#3542023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#4502021#4252022#4452023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#5942021#4912022#4282023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#4652021#2902022#3862023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3662021#2992022#5162023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3612021#2702022#3522023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3642021#4132022#4052023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#3742021#5402022#5142023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#3402021#4142022#4132023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#3652021#3862022#3142023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2942021#3872022#5182023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3142021#3562022#3292023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#4392021#3742022#4362023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2792021#3572022#3492023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#6162021#3922022#5222023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3342021#8422022#3272023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#6452021#6572022#7632023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#3512021#3232022#3062023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#4612021#4402022#4472023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#4462021#4442022#4272023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4422020#4422021#3162022

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3582021#4042022#2552023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4952020#4962022#3632023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4672018#4182019#5542021

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1811991#3342013#3412017

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#4882021#5092022#4502023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#5042021#3692022#6442023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2202021#3622022#2602023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3312021#4552022#5062023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2072018#2302019#2002023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1671968#1731971#2512017

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1751962#1871964#1691969

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#2211978#1162015#1902021

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3152017#5232018#5192021

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1992019#2302020#1902021

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1541960#1411961#1281965

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3291965#4092015#3442019

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#2202016#1782017#2102019

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1491958#2162014#2182021

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2111953#2411962#2551964

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#841942#1591960

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1992017#2132023

Popularity Rankings for Clark in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2322021#2822022#5482023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3041971#2931972#3041974

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#2942022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#2972021#4252022#3662023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3922020#3742021#3522022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#4912019#5682020#7512021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#6132018#5872020#6212021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#6462019#6312021#7702023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Clark a Name for Boys or Girls?

Clark is primarily used for boys due to its historical significance.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Clark

Clark in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Clark Gable (Actor, 1901–1960): An iconic American actor best known for his role as Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind."
  • Clark Gregg (Actor, 1962): An American actor and director famous for playing Agent Phil Coulson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
  • Clark Duke (Actor, 1985): An American actor known for his roles in "Hot Tub Time Machine" and "The Office."
  • Clark Terry (Musician, 1920–2015): An American jazz trumpeter and composer who performed with Duke Ellington and Count Basie.
  • Clark Johnson (Actor, 1954): A Canadian actor and director noted for his work on "Homicide: Life on the Street."
  • Clark Kent ("Superman," 1938 Comic Series): The alter ego of Superman, a mild-mannered reporter who uses his powers to fight for truth and justice.
  • Clark Griswold ("National Lampoon's Vacation," 1983 Film Series): The bumbling yet lovable patriarch of the Griswold family, known for his hilarious misadventures.
  • Clark Edison ("Bones," 2005 TV Series): An intern and later full-fledged forensic anthropologist at the Jeffersonian Institute.
  • Clark ("The Thing," 1982 Film): A character who is part of the Antarctic research team battling an alien creature.
  • Clark ("The 100," 2014 TV Series): Clarke Griffin is a central character, a leader among the surviving humans on a post-apocalyptic Earth.
  • Clark Community (Wyoming, USA): A small unincorporated community in Park County, known for its scenic landscapes and proximity to the Shoshone National Forest .
  • Clark Town (Wisconsin, USA): Located in Clark County, this town is surrounded by rich agricultural lands and is known for its rural charm .
  • Clark Community (Texas, USA): A small community in Montgomery County, offering a peaceful, suburban lifestyle with a close-knit community atmosphere .
  • Clark City (South Dakota, USA): A city in Clark County that features a rich history and serves as a hub for local agriculture.
  • Clark Township (New Jersey, USA): A township in Union County, known for its family-friendly environment and well-maintained parks .

Similar Names to Clark

  • Clarke
  • Clarkson
  • Claiborne
  • Clerc
  • Clerk
  • Claude
  • Clarens
  • Clarence
  • Claron
  • Claxton

Sibling Names for Clark

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