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Home › Baby Names Directory › Clemence

Clemence

♀ Girl

Pronounced KLEM-uhns /ˈklɛm.əns/Medium

Meaning: The French form of Clementia, from Latin clementia, 'mercy, mildness, gentleness' — the same root as Clement and Clementine. A virtue name in the old sense: a quality wished onto a child.Medium

In 30 seconds: A soft French virtue name: Clemence means 'mercy, mildness,' from Latin clementia (said 'KLEM-uhns').
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Origin HighFrench, Latin
MeaningThe French form of Clementia, from Latin clementia, 'mercy, mildness, gentleness' — the same root as Clement and Clementine. A virtue name in the old sense: a quality wished onto a child.
U.S. rank (2023)#15689 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1917
Total births (all-time)≈ 539

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191718862023

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

Clemence is the French form of the Latin Clementia, 'mercy, mildness' — a virtue name used in medieval France and England alongside its brothers Clement and Clementine. It faded from English use but never disappeared in France, and it returns now with a soft, unhurried sound (said 'KLEM-uhns').

In the U.S. it is a rare name for girls, carried mostly by French-speaking or Francophile families. Rare, gentle, and old.

Did you know? Clemence sits in the same family as Clement and Clementine — all growing from Latin clementia, 'mercy.' It is the kind of name that names a quality rather than a thing, and it has stayed quietly in French use for centuries.
Overall data confidence 75%
References — Clemence — French form of Latin clementia, 'mercy'

Variations

ClemencyClementineClemencia

Nicknames

ClemClemmie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Clemence…

Clementine— the same Latin mercy root, longer
Constance— a like French virtue name
Florence— a like soft-ending French classic
Celeste— a like gentle French pick

Explore names like Clemence

By themefrenchvintagevirtuesoft
By meaningGentle / Kind

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Clemence mean?

Clemence means 'mercy; mildness,' from the Latin clementia — the root behind Clement and Clementine.

How do you pronounce Clemence?

It's said KLEM-uhns /ˈklɛm.əns/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Clemence a boy or girl name?

Clemence is used for girls; the masculine form is Clement.

How popular is Clemence?

Clemence is a rare name for girls in the U.S., though better known in France.

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