Clay
Meaning of Clay
Clay, pronounced KLAY, springs from the Old English “clæg” and echoes the Latin “argilla,” both pointing to the workable earth that potters shape by hand. First worn as an occupational surname for brick-makers and tile-workers, it crossed into given-name territory by the late 1800s, carrying an image of honest craftsmanship and grounded strength. Public figures such as 19th-century statesman Henry Clay and heavyweight boxing icon Muhammad Ali—born Cassius Clay—layer the name with diplomacy and resolve. In U.S. birth records, Clay has stayed in the mid-range for more than a century; the Social Security Administration logged 545 newborn Clays in 2024, up from 417 in 2020, showing a quiet but consistent rise. Compact at one syllable yet rich in heritage, Clay offers parents a solid, unfussy choice—terra firma in name form—anchored by history but agile enough for modern life.
Pronunciation
American English
- Pronunced as klay (/kleɪ/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Clay
| Clay Aiken - Clayton Aiken is an American singer and American Idol runner-up who has sold over 5 million albums, ranking as the fourth-highest-selling alumnus. |
| William Clay Matthews III is a former Green Bay Packers linebacker who holds the team's all-time sack record, earned six Pro Bowl and two All-Pro selections, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. |
| Clay Walker - Ernest Clayton Walker Jr. is an American country music singer who debuted in 1993 with the Number One single "What's It to You" and followed with another chart-topper, "Live Until I Die." |
| Clay Shirky is an American expert who examines how Internet technologies and journalism influence society and the economy. |
| Clay LaVergne Shaw was an American businessman and CIA contact who was acquitted after being the only person tried for JFK's assassination, though conspiracy theories about his role persist. |
| Clay Allison was a violent Old West gunfighter and rancher notorious for his reckless behavior, including a nearly naked horseback ride and accidentally shooting himself. |
| Richard Clay Travis is an American writer, lawyer, radio host, television analyst, and founder of OutKick. |
| Clay Schuette Felker was an influential American magazine editor who co-founded New York and California magazines and mentored countless journalists. |
| Clay Kirby - Clayton Kirby Jr. was an MLB pitcher for the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, and Montreal Expos. |
| Clay Helton is a prominent American college football coach currently leading Georgia Southern, following his tenure at USC, and comes from a family deeply rooted in coaching. |
| English actor Barnaby Clay Milner Russell is best known for playing Bobby Beale on the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2019 to 2024. |
| William Clay Matthews Jr. is a former NFL linebacker who played 19 seasons for the Cleveland Browns and is the father of Clay Matthews III and brother of Bruce Matthews. |
| Clay Johnson is a former American Democratic technologist who contributed to major national campaigns. |
| Texas-based country musician Randall Clay Blaker has had his songs recorded by stars like George Strait and performs with his Texas Honky-Tonk Band. |
| Clay Evans was an African American Baptist pastor who founded Chicago's Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and achieved success with eleven Billboard-charting gospel albums, including a Soul Train Music Award nomination. |
