What Does the Name Clarence Mean?
Clarence is a boy's name of English (from Latin) origin meaning “of Clare / bright.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Clarence |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | English (from Latin) |
| Meaning | of Clare / bright |
| Variants | Clarance, Clare |
| Popularity | A top-100 name in the United States around 1900; now rare and considered old-fashioned. |
The meaning and origin of Clarence
The name Clarence means “of Clare / bright” and has English (from Latin) origins. From the English title Duke of Clarence, derived from the place Clare in Suffolk, associated by sound with the Latin 'clarus' meaning bright or clear. It became popular as a given name in the 19th century.
Variants and related names
Clarence is related to several other names you may recognize: Clarance, Clare. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Clarence?
A top-100 name in the United States around 1900; now rare and considered old-fashioned.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Clarence mean?+
The name Clarence means “of Clare / bright” and is of English (from Latin) origin.
What is the origin of the name Clarence?+
Clarence originates from English (from Latin).
Is Clarence a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Clarence has trended in the US over time.
Clarence by gender
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Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press