NameChart

Cletus

Boy name

Cletus has been given to 7,709 babies in the U.S. since 1886. It peaked in 1922.

Meaning & origin /ˈkliːt.əs/

Borrowed from Latin Cletus, short form of the papal name Anacletus, from Ancient Greek ἀνάκλητος (anáklētos, “invoked”), from ἀνακαλέω (anakaléō) + -τός (-tós).

Origin: Ancient Greek

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Popularity over time births per year, 1880–2025

058117175233 18801900192019401960198020002020 Girls Boys
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.

Total babies

7,709

Peak year

1922 (243 babies)

Rank in 2025

Below top 1000

First recorded

1886

10-year trend

▲ +13%

Gender split

4% girls / 96% boys

Names with a similar vibe

Same primary gender, peaked around the same years, and roughly as common as Cletus.

FAQ

How popular is the name Cletus?

Cletus has been given to 7,709 babies in the U.S. since 1886. It ranked below the top 1000 in 2025.

When did the name Cletus peak?

Cletus peaked in 1922, when 243 babies were given the name.

Is Cletus a girl or boy name?

Cletus is primarily a boy name (96% of babies named Cletus are boys).

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