Clever

“Intelligent, skillful, quick-witted”

English origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#9933US 2023

7Births / yr

↑Rising

96All-time births

📅 Since 200300

How to pronounce Clever

KLEV·er

/ˈklɛv.ɝ/ · stress on KLEV · 2 syllables

“Intelligent, skillful, quick-witted”

English origin · Boy name

What does Clever mean and where does it come from?

The name Clever is derived from the English adjective describing someone who is smart or able to solve problems effectively. While not a traditional given name, it could be used in a more modern or creative context. It reflects contemporary naming trends that embrace unique and characteristic terms

Cultural significance

Clever has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in English-speaking communities, where it reflects values of intelligent, skillful, quick-witted.

Peak popularity

Reached #6882 in 2020 — currently #9933 in the US.

🌿

How else can you spell Clever?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

Klever

Spelling variant

What middle names flow best with Clever?

Clever works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Clever Grace

How popular is Clever right now?

Rising fast — up 2770 spots — currently #9933 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 2005–2023#9933 · Top 7.3%

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#9933	7	▲ up 2770 · +40% births
2022	#12703	5	▼ down 220
2021	#12483	5	▼ down 5601 · -58% births
2020	#6882	12	▲ up 3401 · +71% births
2015	#10283	7	▲ up 3272 · +40% births
2010	#13555	5	▼ down 3536 · -29% births
2005	#10019	7	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Clever

Best Year2020Rank #6882

Peak Count12

Average Rank#10837

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range2005 - 20237 years

The story of Clever

Clever is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 2003. With 96 total births recorded, Clever remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #10019 in 2005 to #9933 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Clever in 2020:

Liam Noah Oliver Elijah William

Clever by decade

Clever peaked in the 2020s. See all 2020s names →

Decade	Births
2000s	32
2010s ★	52
2020s	12

💎Clever has only 96 total recorded births since 2003 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Clever?

Common

CleClevClevieClevyEver

What names sound and feel like Clever?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Clever also consider these

Ireland · A flowering plant

Clevey

Greek · A Greek name

Chever

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

Ever

English · Everlasting, eternal

Delver

English · Digger or excavator

Common questions about the name Clever

What does the name Clever mean?

Clever means "Intelligent, skillful, quick-witted" — a name rooted in English tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Clever?

Clever is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Clever have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Clever?

Clever originates from English tradition. English names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Clever?

Clever is a two-syllable name pronounced K L EH1 V ER0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Clever trending right now?

Clever is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.