Clay is a distinctive choice, ranked #845 in 2025. Your child is likely to be the only Clay in their class.
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UK Rank 2025
#845
US Rank #573
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About the Name Clay
Clay is steadily gaining in popularity, up 25 places over the past five years. Its best recorded rank was #566 in 2021, and it currently sits at #602. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Clay is uncommon in the UK, so your child is very likely to be the only Clay in their class.
In the US it ranks even higher at #543, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
⭐ Famous People Named Clay
Cassius Marcellus Clay — Cassius Marcellus Clay was an American planter, politician, military officer and abolitionist who served as the United States ambassador to Russia from 1863 to 1869.
Otis Clay — Otis Lee Clay was an American R&B and soul singer, who started in gospel music.
Kaelin Clay — Kaelin Clay is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL).
Biographical summaries are shortened from Wikipedia and are used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence; those summaries remain available under that same licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Clay
Unlikely. With around 38 UK babies named Clay per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Clay in their class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Clay is declining: down 218 places since 2020, to #845 in 2025. It peaked at #566 in 2021.
Clay is more popular in the US (#543) than in the UK (#602). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Clay include: Kaelin Clay, DJ Clay and Clay Shaw. Short summaries for each appear below.
Clay ranks #543 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
38
UK babies named Clay (2025)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.0
In a school of 600
↓ 218 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Clay
Almost certainly the only Clay in the class
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UK Popularity (1996–2025)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2025)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Clay
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Cassius Marcellus Clay was an American planter, politician, military officer and abolitionist who served as the United States ambassador to Russia from 1863 to 1869.