Boy name
Clay
Clay is currently the #573 boy name in the United States, based on 2025 Social Security data. In raw numbers: 515 babies. Momentum is clearly positive: five years ago it ranked #644, now it sits at #573. Looking at the full record since 1880, Clay hit its all-time high of #259 in 1961, when 900 boys were given the name. State by state, Iowa leads the way at #143.
Rankings
2025 rank
#573
among boy names
Trend
Rising
last 5 years
All-time peak
#259
in 1961 (1960s)
Babies in 2025
515
boys named Clay
Clay popularity, 1880–2025
Where Clay is most popular
Share of boys born in 2025:lowhighno data (< 5 births)
Strongest states: Iowa (#143), Missouri (#238), West Virginia (#299)
Uniqueness score
43/ 100Balanced
everywhereone of a kind
Well known, but far from crowded — the middle of the field. Based on how many babies per birth were named Clay in the most recent year of SSA data.