From the name of the River Clyde in Scotland, which is of unknown origin. It became a common given name in America in the middle of the 19th century, perhaps in honour of Sir Colin Campbell (1792-1863) who was given the title Baron Clyde in 1858. The name Clyde originates in Gaelic languages and means that the bearer comes from somewhere near the river Clyde. The actual meaning of the name Clyde however is obscure because it is so ancient as to even predate the Celtic language.
