Clyde comes from the River Clyde, which flows through Glasgow in Scotland; the river's name is ancient and of uncertain meaning, most often explained as "cleansing one" or "the washer". In America it was a hugely popular name around 1900 and is forever tied to the outlaw Clyde Barrow of Bonnie and Clyde. After decades of decline Clyde returned to the US top 1000 in 2014, peaked at number 684 in 2022 and ranks number 743 in 2025.