Clark

♂ Boy

Pronounced KLARK /klɑːrk/High

Meaning: Occupational name from Old English clerc, meaning a scribe, scholar, or clergyman, itself from Latin clericusHigh

In 30 seconds: Clark is a crisp, one-syllable occupational surname turned given name evoking quiet intelligence and old-school cool, bolstered by its associations with Clark Kent and Clark Gable.

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Origin HighOld English, Latin

MeaningOccupational name from Old English clerc, meaning a scribe, scholar, or clergyman, itself from Latin clericus

U.S. rank (2025)#377 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births837 boys (0.05% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1961

Total births (all-time)≈ 50,852

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Clark descends from Old English clerc and Latin clericus, originally denoting a man of letters or a member of the clergy. As literacy was rare in medieval England, the word came to mean any educated professional.

As a surname it spread across the English-speaking world; as a given name it gained popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries, boosted by Hollywood star Clark Gable and the Superman mythology.

Did you know? Clark Kent, Superman's secret identity, was deliberately named to sound like an ordinary, mild-mannered American — and it worked so well the name became iconic on its own.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Clark — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Clarke

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Clark Gable (1901–1960)
American actor known as the 'King of Hollywood,' starring in Gone with the Wind.
★Clark Kent (fictional)
Secret identity of Superman in DC Comics, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

If you like Clark…

Grant— crisp one-syllable surname-name with the same clean, strong character

Dean— shares the academic occupational roots and mid-century cool

Wade— another short, punchy surname-name with a classic feel

Brooks— nature-tinged surname-name with a similar preppy-cool vibe

Frequently Asked

What does the name Clark mean?

Clark comes from Old English clerc meaning a scribe, scholar, or clergyman.

How do you pronounce Clark?

It is said KLARK /klɑːrk/ — one syllable.

Is Clark a first name or last name?

Clark originated as a surname but has been used as a given name since the 19th century.

Is Clark popular today?

Clark has seen a steady revival as crisp, one-syllable surname-names have come back into style.