Name
Clay
Meaning
Clay is a masculine name of English origin meaning “clay”.
Clay began as a surname for people who lived near or worked clay soil, and as a first name it honors statesman Henry Clay in many American families. Its single earthy syllable gives it a frontier plainness that never feels invented.
A modest but persistent presence in the US top 1000 since the 1800s.
Popularity in the United States
Boys
Ranked #573 in 2025 · peak #343 in 1995
Data: US Social Security Administration, top-1000 ranks.
At a glance
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Questions
Clay is a masculine name of English origin meaning “clay”. Clay began as a surname for people who lived near or worked clay soil, and as a first name it honors statesman Henry Clay in many American families.
Clay is traditionally a masculine (boy) name. It is a modest but persistent presence in the US top 1000 since the 1800s.
The name Clay comes from English. Clay began as a surname for people who lived near or worked clay soil, and as a first name it honors statesman Henry Clay in many American families. Its single earthy syllable gives it a frontier plainness that never feels invented.
Clay is pronounced KLAY.
More names that mean earth
Names that share this meaning.