Fun Facts About the Name Clary
- 485 babies named Clary: U.S. records list 485 babies given the name Clary from 1880 through 2025. Even 177 boys received the name Clary - about 1 boy for every 2 girls.
What Does the Name Clary Mean?
Clary is an English feminine given name used chiefly as a familiar short form of Clara. Clara is the feminine form of the Latin adjective clarus, meaning clear, bright, or distinct; the same adjective can also carry the sense of renowned or famous. The ending -y is the ordinary English diminutive suffix also found in pet names such as Sally (from Sarah) and Molly (from Mary), so Clary inherits the meaning of the longer name rather than having a root of its own. Clary can also serve as a short form of Clarissa, an elaborated Italian form of Clara.
Clary Name History & Origins
The name came into English use through the cult of Saint Clare of Assisi (Chiara Offreduccio, 1194 - 1253), the follower of Francis of Assisi who founded the Franciscan community of women known in English as the Poor Clares. In medieval England her name usually appeared as Clare, and the Latin-shaped Clara became a common given name in English-speaking countries much later, with short forms such as Clary growing up beside it.
Clary is also a long-established English surname. Surnames of this shape frequently come from a place, and the village of Clare in Suffolk gave its name to a powerful medieval family, the de Clares, from whom the surname Clare and its variants spread. The origin of the Suffolk place name itself is not settled: it has been connected both with the Latin root behind Clara and with an older Brittonic river name, so the surname's meaning is best described as uncertain.
A separate English word, clary, names the herb clary sage (Salvia sclarea). It goes back to Middle English clare, from Latin clarus, and referred to the plant's use in preparations for the eyes. That plant name and the personal name are different words, though both draw on the same Latin adjective.
In modern fiction, Clary Fray - formally Clarissa Fray - is the heroine of Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series, which began with City of Bones (2007). This is a literary use of a name that already existed as a given name and surname, not the name's origin.
How Popular is the Name Clary?
Clary has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2017. Its best rank was #1,926 in 1943.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #13,566 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2024 | #7,648 | 14 | 0.0009% |
| 2023 | #15,687 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2022 | #12,525 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2021 | #9,712 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2020 | #8,506 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2019 | #7,823 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2018 | #11,622 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2017 | #6,596 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 2016 | #9,549 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2015 | #11,094 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2014 | #9,105 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2013 | #17,131 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #15,392 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2011 | #12,427 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2010 | #11,467 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2009 | #14,019 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2008 | #14,169 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2005 | #17,059 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2003 | #16,307 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2002 | #15,970 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2000 | #15,556 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1996 | #12,158 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1993 | #13,915 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1986 | #11,283 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1982 | #9,459 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1961 | #5,950 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1955 | #5,979 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1953 | #5,804 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1952 | #4,568 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1949 | #4,305 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1944 | #4,682 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1942 | #3,493 | 8 | 0.0006% |
| 1941 | #3,298 | 8 | 0.0007% |
| 1936 | #4,299 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1933 | #3,472 | 7 | 0.0007% |
| 1929 | #4,689 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1928 | #4,842 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1923 | #2,490 | 14 | 0.0012% |
| 1919 | #4,345 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1917 | #4,713 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | #6,541 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1966 | #3,291 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1964 | #4,146 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1963 | #4,140 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1962 | #3,087 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1957 | #4,085 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1954 | #2,776 | 9 | 0.0004% |
| 1953 | #3,907 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1952 | #3,829 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1951 | #3,805 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1950 | #3,075 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1948 | #3,761 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1947 | #2,911 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1946 | #2,953 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1944 | #3,510 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1943 | #1,926 | 15 | 0.0011% |
| 1942 | #3,277 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1941 | #3,580 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1938 | #2,912 | 7 | 0.0006% |
| 1937 | #3,609 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1934 | #3,349 | 6 | 0.0006% |
| 1930 | #3,660 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1927 | #2,947 | 9 | 0.0008% |
| 1924 | #3,306 | 8 | 0.0007% |
| 1923 | #3,894 | 6 | 0.0005% |
| 1921 | #4,451 | 5 | 0.0005% |
| 1915 | #2,866 | 8 | 0.0009% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Explore More Lists with Name Clary
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with C
Short Girl Names That Start with C
How the Name Clary Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are cheerful and friendly, but are apt to have an emotional life. You like to have several lines of effort going at once. You are a good talker and promoter and seldom worry over anything. At times, you can be impatient, and impulsive. You have the ability to bring an idea to completion. You can express yourself joyously and constructively. You might be psychic, but not know it. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Clary's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Clary's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.