Boy · 64th of 7,545
Clifford
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
190,128
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1925
Peak Popularity Year
3,473
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Clifford stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Clifford has its origins in Old English, combining the elements for 'cliff' and 'river crossing'. It has evolved through various historical forms and is associated with the meaning 'ford by the cliff'. While it does not have biblical relevance, it gained popularity in the 19th century, influenced by cultural references. Today, it is perceived positively, partly due to its association with beloved children's characters, and notable individuals with this name include influential figures in music, anthropology, and theatre.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈklɪfərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Clifford is derived from the Old English elements 'clif', meaning 'cliff', and 'ford', meaning 'river crossing'. It originally referred to someone who lived near a cliff by a river.
Meaning
ford by the cliff
Language Evolution
Cliford, Cliffort, Clifforde, Clifford
Historical Usage
Clifford gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century, influenced by literary and cultural references.
Variants & Derivatives
Cliff, Cliffie, Clif
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Clifford is often associated with the friendly giant red dog from children's literature, giving it a warm and approachable image.
Famous People
Clifford Brown (jazz trumpeter), Clifford Geertz (anthropologist), Clifford Odets (playwright)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,473 peak births in 1925
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 64th of 7545 | 50,243 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 88th of 6773 | 43,157 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 126th of 7552 | 52,362 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 193rd of 10718 | 21,037 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 321st of 16616 | 11,754 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 905th of 24088 | 3,194 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1310th of 23106 | 1,700 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1062nd of 9107 | 858 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1695th of 9204 | 415 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3023rd of 12526 | 284 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 5206th of 19264 | 162 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 10509th of 27321 | 87 |