Clay means clay worker or mortal — from the Old English clæg. Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Clay — the Greatest. Henry Clay IS the Great Compromiser — America's most important senator. In Genesis, God formed Adam from clay. Four letters of the Greatest-boxer-born, the Great-Compromiser, and God forming humanity from earth.
Clay means clay. Ali was born Cassius Clay. Henry Clay IS the Great Compromiser. God formed Adam from clay.
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First recorded
Earliest known use: Old English; Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay); Henry Clay (1777–1852).
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Today
Clay remains a beloved choice, ranking #651 in the US. 40,009 babies have been named Clay since 1880.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, SSA data
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How popular is Clay?
1960peak year
Clay is on the rise. After years out of the spotlight, it has been gaining ground with U.S. parents in the most recent decade. It currently ranks around #651, with about 413 babies named Clay each year. In 1960, 904 babies received the name (ranked #264). Total registrations across all years since 1880: roughly 40,009.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Clay's Life Path 4 is the builder's number — God-formed building. People named Clay tend to be strong, earthy, and gifted at being what the Greatest was born AND what God made us from.
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