Pronunciation: [klˈɑːk] (IPA) 
The word "Clarke" is a common surname that is pronounced as /klɑːk/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The spelling of the word is derived from the Middle English term "clerk," which means a learned or literate person. The letter "e" in the spelling of the word is silent, while the "k" is pronounced. The correct spelling of the word is vital in conveying the correct pronunciation and meaning of the word, especially in written communication.
Clarke is a proper noun that commonly refers to a surname of English and Scottish origin. As a last name, it originated from the occupation of a clerk, which typically referred to an individual who had administrative duties, such as record-keeping or writing. The surname Clarke may also have originated from a personal name derived from the Latin "clericus," meaning clergyman or scholar.
Aside from being a surname, Clarke can also refer to a given name for both males and females. It has been used as a first name in some English-speaking countries. The usage of Clarke as a given name can also be attributed to the popularity or admiration of certain individuals, such as Arthur C. Clarke, a renowned science fiction writer known for his novel "2001: A Space Odyssey."
Furthermore, "Clarke" may also be used as a toponym, related to various places named after individuals or historically significant locations. Notable examples include Clarke County in the state of Virginia, United States, named after George Rogers Clarke, an American general during the American Revolutionary War; or Clarke Quay in Singapore, named after Sir Andrew Clarke, a British governor.
In summary, Clarke primarily refers to a surname of English and Scottish origin, originating from the occupation of a clerk or derived from the Latin for clergyman. It may also be used as a given name or a toponym for various places.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The name "Clarke" is of English origin and derived from the Latin word "clericus", meaning a clergyman or scholar. The Latin word was borrowed into Old English as "cleric" and later evolved into "clark" or "clarke", referring to someone who could read and write. Over time, the spelling variations "Clark" and "Clarke" emerged, both used as surnames denoting someone of clerical or scholarly significance.
