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Home › Baby Names Directory › Cletus

Cletus

♂ Boy

Pronounced KLEE-tus /ˈkliː.təs/High

Meaning: A Latinized form of the Greek Cletus (Anencletus/Anacletus), 'summoned; called; illustrious.' Borne by an early pope (Anacletus). A vintage classic.Low

In 30 seconds: A vintage classic: Cletus means 'summoned; called; illustrious' (said 'KLEE-tus'). Old-world and distinctive.
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Origin MediumGreek, Latin
MeaningA Latinized form of the Greek Cletus (Anencletus/Anacletus), 'summoned; called; illustrious.' Borne by an early pope (Anacletus). A vintage classic.
U.S. rank (2025)#8382 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births9 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1922
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,435

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192218862025

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

Cletus comes from the Greek (via Latin) Cletus/Anacletus, 'summoned; called; illustrious.' Carried by one of the earliest popes, it reads as a vintage classic — distinctive and rare in the modern U.S. (said 'KLEE-tus').

It appears only rarely today, an old-fashioned pick. Rare, vintage, and distinctive.

Did you know? Cletus is a Latinized form of the Greek for 'summoned; called; illustrious' — a name borne by an early pope (Anacletus), giving it deep, old-world roots (said 'KLEE-tus').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Cletus — Greek/Latin 'summoned; illustrious'; early pope Anacletus

Variations

AnacletusCletisKletus

Nicknames

CleteCle

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cletus…

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Silas— a like old-world pick
Otis— a like vintage -tus/-tis name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cletus mean?

Cletus is Greek (via Latin) for 'summoned; called; illustrious,' borne by an early pope.

How do you pronounce Cletus?

It's said KLEE-tus /ˈkliː.təs/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Cletus a boy or girl name?

Cletus is a boy's name.

How popular is Cletus?

Cletus is a rare, vintage name in the U.S. today.

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