Masculine dossier · first seen 1880
Clay
Rising
Gaining cultural share
Peak era
1960
Peak births
904
Current vitality
Fragile
Peak generation
Boomer
Quick answers about Clay
How many people are named Clay?
An estimated 31,376 living Americans are named Clay.
How rare is Clay?
Clay is moderately uncommon among babies today, with 515 boys receiving the name in 2025, down 43% from its 1960 peak.
How old is the typical Clay?
The median age of a living American named Clay is approximately 36 years, with most bearers falling between 23 and 56 years old.
Is Clay still popular?
Yes — Clay is currently rising in popularity, with 515 births in 2025. Births this decade are running about 1.5× higher than the previous decade.
Where is Clay most common?
Clay has its strongest geographic signal in Kentucky, where it appears 6.2× more often than the national baseline.
1880Peak 19602025
Peak year
1960
Decline from peak
43%
2025
515
All-time
40,252