Klemens

Klemens is a male given name commonly used in German-speaking countries and parts of Central Europe. It is the German form of the Latin name Clemens, which derives from the adjective clemens, meaning merciful or mild. The name has ancient and medieval usage and has appeared in Christian contexts through its Latin form Clemens, with several saints and popes bearing the name in Latin sources; in German contexts these figures are often rendered as Klemens.

Variants of the name appear across Europe and beyond. In Latin and English it appears as Clemens or Clement, in French as Clément, and in Slavic languages as Klement. German usage favors Klemens, while Polish and Czech traditions also employ forms that are closely related to Klemens or Klement.

Notable bearers of the name include Klemens von Metternich (1773–1859), the Austrian diplomat and statesman who played a leading role at the Congress of Vienna and in shaping 19th-century European politics. Another prominent figure is Klemens August Graf von Galen (1878–1946), a Catholic cardinal and bishop of Münster known for his outspoken opposition to Nazi policies. The name also appears in various religious and historical contexts through its Latin form Clemens, linked to popes and saints, with Klemens serving as the common German rendering in many sources.