Origin, Meaning, And History Of Clay
Clay is a boy’s name of English origin, and means “boundary with clover.” It is a diminutive of the names Clayton and Clayborne. The name Clay also translates to “clay worker” and “mortal.’’ Clay is also used as a surname for someone who worked with clay or lived in a clay-based area. The name also has German roots, where it means ‘’adhere.’’
The phonetic spelling of Clay is KLAY. It is also spelled as Clae. Some common variations of the name are Clayland, Klayton, and Klay.
Clay as a surname first appeared in scriptures as “de Clai” in the latter half of the 12th century. Since the 19th century, people have used it as a given name. Some notable people with the name Clay include Joseph Clay, who founded the University of Georgia and was a member of the Continental Congress, and Henry Clay, who served as President John Quincy Adams’ secretary of state.
The name was given to several characters in video games, including Clay Terran in“Ace Attorney,”Clay Kaczmarek in“Assassin’s Creed,”and Clay, a Gym Leader in the Pokemon video games.
Clay was used in popular culture.Clay Puffingtonis the main character in the animated series “Moral Orel,”Clay Haasis a character in the TV series “Quantico,” and Clay is a dragon character in the children’s book seriesWings of Fire.
The notable bearers of the name in recent times areAmerican IdolClay Aiken and Green Bay Packer linebacker Clay Matthews. Clay was also given to TV characters in series likeThe Wire, Sons of Anarchy, and 13 Reasons Why.
The name Clay is preferred by parents who want a short name for their wards. The unique sound of the name also makes it an enticing choice for millennial parents.
Clay
How To Pronounce Clay?
Famous People With The Name Clay
- Clay HensleyFormer American Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the San Diego Padres
- Clay HigginsAmerican politician and reserve law enforcement officer
- Clay JohnstonAmerican football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League
- Clay SweetingBahamian politician from the Progressive Liberal Party
Clay On The Popularity Chart
The name Clay witnessed a rise in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. See how its popularity and ranking have evolved from the graphs below.
Popularity Over Time
The popularity of the name Clay touched new heights in 1995, when 714 babies per million were given the name. Check out the graph below for more information.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Clay was ranked 12,494 in 1983. Examine the graph below to understand how the name fared on the ranking charts over time.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Clay
Liked the sound and rhythm of Clay? Here are some more names that sound similar to Clay.
Popular Sibling Names For Clay
Other Popular Names Beginning With C
Names With Similar Meaning As Clay
Several other names share a similar meaning as Clay. Check out the list below.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Clay
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Clay?
The name Clay means ‘boundary with clover’ and ‘clover.’
2. What is the rigin of the name Clay?
Clay has an English origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Clay?
Clay is pronounced as clay.
4. Is Clay a common name?
Clay is a fairly common name in the US. In 2021, 449 boys per million were given the name in the country.
5. Is Clay a gender-neutral name and can it be used for a girl?
Clay is considered to be a masculine name. However, Clay can be used as a girl name. Lately, there has been a growing trend where parents have been opting for gender-neutral names. Therefore, if you like the name Clay and wish to use it for your little girl, you may certainly do so.
6. What is the spiritual meaning of the name Clay in the Bible?
Clay does not appear as a given name in the Bible, but clay, as a type of soil, has been mentioned numerous times. The Bible verse in the book of Genesis says, “And then the Lord God formed man from the clay of the earth, and he breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” It suggests our earthly and mortal nature. It could also be a reminder of our humble origins from God.
