Cletus
Borrowed from Latin Clētus, short form of the papal name Anaclētus, from Ancient Greek ἀνάκλητος (anáklētos, “invoked”, from ἀνακαλέω (anakaléō) + -τός (-tós)).
Every Cletus since 1886 — 7,709 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cletus
Cletus is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,382 in 2025 with 9 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1886, 7,709 American babies have been named Cletus. Its peak came in 1922, when 243 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cletus stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cletus year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 9 | #8,382 |
| 2024 | — | — | 6 | #11,199 |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | 9 | #8,440 |
| 2021 | — | — | 10 | #7,717 |
| 2020 | — | — | 8 | #8,893 |
| 2019 | — | — | 6 | #11,043 |
| 2018 | — | — | 7 | #9,874 |
| 2017 | — | — | 6 | #11,039 |
| 2016 | — | — | 6 | #10,987 |
| 2015 | — | — | 8 | #8,903 |
| 2014 | — | — | 7 | #9,836 |
| 2013 | — | — | 8 | #8,948 |
| 2012 | — | — | 5 | #12,624 |
| 2011 | — | — | 8 | #8,908 |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | 5 | #12,835 |
| 2008 | — | — | 6 | #11,316 |
| 2007 | — | — | 5 | #12,703 |
| 2006 | — | — | 5 | #12,378 |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | 10 | #7,067 |
| 2003 | — | — | 8 | #7,980 |
| 2002 | — | — | 8 | #7,772 |
| 2001 | — | — | 11 | #6,089 |
| 2000 | — | — | 6 | #9,292 |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | 10 | #5,050 |
| 1985 | — | — | 19 | #2,615 |
| 1980 | — | — | 25 | #2,121 |
| 1975 | — | — | 18 | #2,383 |
| 1970 | — | — | 40 | #1,316 |
| 1965 | — | — | 54 | #1,002 |
| 1960 | — | — | 56 | #1,022 |
| 1955 | — | — | 67 | #908 |
| 1950 | — | — | 81 | #762 |
| 1945 | — | — | 88 | #645 |
| 1940 | 7 | #3,567 | 96 | #604 |
| 1935 | 5 | #4,325 | 137 | #483 |
| 1930 | — | — | 177 | #442 |
| 1925 | 13 | #2,640 | 184 | #442 |
| 1920 | 9 | #3,386 | 173 | #463 |
| 1915 | 9 | #2,943 | 154 | #438 |
| 1910 | — | — | 28 | #541 |
| 1905 | — | — | 19 | #532 |
| 1900 | — | — | 15 | #652 |
| 1895 | — | — | 10 | #700 |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cletus mean?
Borrowed from Latin Clētus, short form of the papal name Anaclētus, from Ancient Greek ἀνάκλητος (anáklētos, “invoked”, from ἀνακαλέω (anakaléō) + -τός (-tós)).
How popular is the name Cletus in 2025?
Cletus ranked #8,382 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cletus?
7,709 babies have been named Cletus in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cletus most popular?
Cletus peaked in 1922, when 243 newborns received the name.
Is Cletus a boy or girl name?
Cletus is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 96% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cletus rising or falling?
Cletus is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.