Clifford
Clifford: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈklɪfəɹd/
Meaning and origin of Clifford
Root meaning: “cliff”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Old English clif (“cliff”) + ford (“ford”), a dweller at the ford by the steep bank.
How popular is Clifford?
Since 1880, 2,019 girls and 188,249 boys in the U.S. have been named Clifford (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #589 in 1883. Its highest rank for boys was #57 in 1909. In 2025, 139 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Clifford
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Clifford
Sister and brother names that share Clifford's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Clifford FAQ
What does the name Clifford mean?
Clifford traces back to a root meaning "cliff". A male given name transferred from the surname. From Old English clif (“cliff”) + ford (“ford”), a dweller at the ford by the steep bank.
What is the origin of the name Clifford?
Clifford is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Clifford?
Since 1880, 2,019 girls and 188,249 boys in the U.S. have been named Clifford (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #589 in 1883. Its highest rank for boys was #57 in 1909. In 2025, 139 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Clifford a boy or girl name?
Clifford is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 2,019 girls and 188,249 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.