name
Common
Clark
klahk
Clark (name) means an English and Scottish surname originally denoting an occupation as a scribe or cleric, also used as a male given name. Example: “Clark Kent is the secret identity of Superman.”
name
1
An English and Scottish surname originally denoting an occupation as a scribe or cleric, also used as a male given name.
"Clark Kent is the secret identity of Superman."
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Clark.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Clarks
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ Kent is the secret identity of Superman.
Etymology
From Old English clerc ("clergyman; learned man"), the source also of the word clerk.
Rhymes for Clark
See all rhymes for Clark →Frequently asked questions
What does “Clark” mean?
The word “Clark” means an English and Scottish surname originally denoting an occupation as a scribe or cleric, also used as a male given name.
How do you pronounce “Clark”?
“Clark” is pronounced klahk (/klɑː(ɹ)k/ in IPA).
How do you use “Clark” in a sentence?
Here is “Clark” used in a sentence: “Clark Kent is the secret identity of Superman.”
What part of speech is “Clark”?
“Clark” is a name.
Where does the word “Clark” come from?
The word “Clark” comes from Old English. From Old English clerc ("clergyman; learned man"), the source also of the word clerk.
Is “Clark” a common word?
“Clark” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Where does the surname Clark come from?
Clark is an English and Scottish surname that originally denoted a person's occupation as a scribe or cleric — someone who could read and write at a time when literacy was rare. Like many occupational surnames, it eventually passed down through families regardless of profession.
Is Clark related to the word "clerk"?
Yes. Clark and clerk share the same occupational root, both tracing back to the word for a cleric or scribe. The surname preserves an older pronunciation, which is why British English still pronounces "clerk" to rhyme with "Clark."
What is the difference between Clark and Clarke?
Clark and Clarke are spelling variants of the same English and Scottish occupational surname, originally denoting a scribe or cleric. The final "e" simply reflects historical spelling variation; neither form is more correct, and both remain common.
Is Clark used as a first name?
Yes. Although Clark began as a surname, it is also used as a male given name, following the common English-language pattern of surnames being adopted as first names.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Clark:
