Clem

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Clem

Pronounced KLEM /ˈklɛm/High

Meaning: A short form of Clement, from the Latin clemens, 'merciful; mild; gentle.' A homespun, standalone nickname-name of the early 1900s.Medium

In 30 seconds: A plainspoken vintage name: Clem shortens Clement, 'merciful; gentle' (said 'KLEM'). Sturdy and old-fashioned.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumLatin, English

MeaningA short form of Clement, from the Latin clemens, 'merciful; mild; gentle.' A homespun, standalone nickname-name of the early 1900s.

U.S. rank (2017)#8283 ↗ Rising

2017 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1917

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,275

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Clem is a short form of Clement, from Latin 'merciful; mild; gentle.' Used as a full name in the early 1900s, it crested around 1917 and then receded into vintage, homespun territory (said 'KLEM').

It peaked around 1917 and then faded. A sturdy, plain vintage name.

Did you know? Clem is a short form of Clement ('merciful; gentle'). A friendly, rustic name, it peaked around 1917 and later became a warm antique, more heard as a nickname than a birth name (said 'KLEM').

Overall data confidence 55%

References -- Clem — Short form of Clement; Latin 'merciful; gentle'

Variations

ClemmieClementKlem

Nicknames

ClemmieClemmy

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Clem…

Clement— the full name it shortens

Clarence— a like vintage Cl- name

Clyde— a like homespun classic

Otis— a like sturdy antique name

Explore names like Clem

By themevintage latin short-form homespun

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Clem mean?

Clem is a short form of Clement, Latin for 'merciful; mild; gentle.'

How do you pronounce Clem?

It's said KLEM /ˈklɛm/ -- one syllable.

Is Clem a boy or girl name?

Clem is a boy's name, a short form of Clement.

How popular is Clem?

Clem is a vintage short form; it saw its best use in the early twentieth century and is rare as a given name today.