Clifton
Clifton: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈklɪftən/
Meaning and origin of Clifton
Root meaning: “cliff”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Old English clif (“cliff”) + tūn (“town”). Analyzable as cliff + -ton. *In Oregon County, Missouri, from Cliff + -ton. From being named after a Cliff, or which may be clipped to Clif.
How popular is Clifton?
Since 1880, 436 girls and 70,249 boys in the U.S. have been named Clifton (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2055 in 1913. Its highest rank for boys was #144 in 1915. In 2025, 82 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Clifton
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Clifton
Sister and brother names that share Clifton's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Clifton FAQ
What does the name Clifton mean?
Clifton traces back to a root meaning "cliff". A male given name transferred from the surname. From Old English clif (“cliff”) + tūn (“town”). Analyzable as cliff + -ton. *In Oregon County, Missouri, from Cliff + -ton. From being named after a Cliff, or which may be clipped to Clif.
What is the origin of the name Clifton?
Clifton is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Clifton?
Since 1880, 436 girls and 70,249 boys in the U.S. have been named Clifton (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2055 in 1913. Its highest rank for boys was #144 in 1915. In 2025, 82 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Clifton a boy or girl name?
Clifton is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 436 girls and 70,249 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.