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Clarke

♂ Boy

Clarke Pronunciation

Clarke is pronounced KLARK /ˈklɑrk/High

Meaning: Clerk, scribe, scholar; the e-spelled form of the English occupational surname ClarkHigh

In 30 seconds: The scholar's surname with a silent flourish: Clarke meant the man who could read and write when that was a superpower. Arthur C. Clarke wrote the spelling into the stars.

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Origin HighEnglish

MeaningClerk, scribe, scholar; the e-spelled form of the English occupational surname Clark

U.S. rank (2024)#3331 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births35 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1947

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,872

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Clarke is the e-finished form of Clark — Old English clerec, the clerk or cleric, medieval society's lettered man. The spelling skews British and Irish; science fiction's Arthur C. Clarke and Lewis-and-Clark-adjacent American memory keep both forms cultural fixtures.

As a first name, Clark had the Gable-and-Kent midcentury; Clarke is its rarer, more tailored sibling, occasionally crossing to girls. For a son it reads bookish, brisk, and one consonant from Superman.

Did you know? Arthur C. Clarke predicted the communications satellite in 1945 — geostationary orbit is still called the Clarke Orbit, lifting this scribe's surname into literal space.

Overall data confidence 90%

Dictionary of American Family Names — Clark — occupational origin

Variations

ClarkClerk

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Clarke…

Clark— the Superman-and-Gable spelling of the same surname

Pierce— a fellow one-syllable polished surname

Grant— the granite midcentury companion

Ellis— another lettered-feeling surname pick

→ See all names like Clarke

Browse the whole category: All English names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Clarke?

Clarke is pronounced KLARK (/ˈklɑrk/). Press play above to hear Clarke said aloud.

How do you say Clarke?

Clarke is said KLARK (/ˈklɑrk/). Press play above to hear Clarke said aloud.

What does the name Clarke mean?

Clarke is the e-spelled form of Clark, the English occupational surname for a clerk or scholar.

Is Clarke a boy or girl name?

Clarke is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a boy's name.

How popular is Clarke?

Clarke is a rare first name in the U.S.; Clark is the more familiar form.