Clifford
Literal root meaning: “cliff + ford”
About the name Clifford
Clifford is a boy name with Old English roots, literally “cliff + ford”.
It has a vintage, unique, nature feel. In 2025, Clifford ranked #1352 for boys in the US, with 139 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1952. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Clifford were boys.
Etymology
From Old English, meaning “cliff” + “ford”.
Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Clifford”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- US rank 2025
- #1352
- In 2015
- #1240
- Babies in 2025
- 139
Popularity of Clifford, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Names similar to Clifford
- Alton“river source + settlement, town”
- Chester“a town or city, especially a Roman one”
- Willard“will + brave, strong”
- Arnold“eagle + power”
- Barney“growing with barley + island”
- Bradlee“broad + woodland”
- Bradly“broad + woodland”
- Branden“broom shrub + hill, dune”
- Buddy“buddy”
- Denton“valley, den + enclosure; settlement, town”
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.