Cletus is an ancient Roman cognomen, later used as a personal name, that means 'limping' or 'stumbling'. It was originally given to individuals who had a physical limp, but over time, it became a common name in its own right. In the Middle Ages, Cletus was often used as a monastic name and was associated with Saint Cletus, one of the seven deacons appointed by Saint Peter in the New Testament. The name has since been popular among Christians due to this association.
The name Cletus experienced a notable increase in popularity between 1898 and 1926, with peaks occurring in 1916 (12 births) and 1925-1927 (13 births each year). However, it's important to note that the total number of births recorded was quite low throughout these years, suggesting that Cletus was never a very common name. After 1928, the popularity of the name declined significantly, with fewer than 10 births per year being recorded thereafter.