N
NamyLab

Clay

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Clay Soil"

An English surname and word name, it can also function as a short form of Clayton, reflecting associations with earth and land.

Themes:toponymicearthshortform
NatureNatural

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Clay

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#543Top 1000

Loading chart...

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#543

Clay was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+38

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Clay Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Clay.

7 ideas
Klay
Nickname
clay
Nickname
clie
Nickname
clo
Nickname
clayie
Nickname
clayy
Nickname
cl
Nickname

Similar Names to Clay

male

Anthony

AN-thuh-nee

“Priceless; Invaluable”

#44
|Latin
male

Andrew

AN-droo

“Manly; Strong”

#68
|Greek
male

Alexander

al-ig-ZAN-der

“Defender of Men”

#27
|Greek
male

Aaron

AIR-un

“Exalted; Mountain of Strength”

#79
|Hebrew
male

Adam

AD-um

“Human, Earth”

#100
|Hebrew
male

Austin

AW-stun

“Great, Venerable”

#107
|Latin
male

Allen

“Handsome; Harmonious”

#573
|Celtic
male

Alvin

“Noble Friend”

#791
|English
male

Arnold

“Eagle Power”

#1681
|Germanic
male

Andy

“Manly; Brave”

#488
|Greek

Baby Name Lists That Include Clay

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Clay, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

18 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Clay mean?
Clay means "Clay Soil". An English surname and word name, it can also function as a short form of Clayton, reflecting associations with earth an
What is the origin of Clay?
Clay is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Clay?
According to the latest SSA data, Clay is currently ranked #543 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Clay a boy name?
Clay is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Clay?
Popular nicknames for Clay include Klay, clay, clie, clo, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Clay?
There are many names similar to Clay in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish
Syllables1
Length4 letters
US Rank#543
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withC

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Clay

Clay has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Clay appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Earth-Inspired Nature Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Traditional English Names and Names That Mean Child Of God for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Clay pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Clay beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.