Clay \c-lay\ as a boy's name is of Old English origin. Occupational or place name involving clay; short form of Clayton. Clay that occurs naturally in the earth was a valued natural resource in earlier times. Boxing champion Muhammad Ali was named Cassius Clay after a 19th-century abolitionist, American statesman Henry Clay.

Clay has 1 variant form: Klay.

For more information, see also the related name Clayborne.

Baby names that sound like Clay are Cloy, Caley, Cal, Cleo, Coley and Cully.