Meaning and history
Clitus is a Latinized form of the ancient Greek name Kleitos, derived from kleitos, meaning “famous,” “renowned,” or “glorious.” Its best-known historical bearer was Cleitus the Black, a Macedonian officer who saved Alexander the Great’s life in battle but was later killed by Alexander during a drunken quarrel. The story gives the name a tragic classical association. Clitus is rare in modern use, and the spelling Cleitus more closely represents the Greek form.