Clifford
Below 5 births
2025 SSA
About Clifford
Clifford as a feminine name represents an unusual gender assignment, as it has traditionally been used as a masculine name throughout its history. Derived from Old English elements meaning 'cliff ford' or 'ford by a cliff,' the name originally referred to someone who lived near a ford at a cliff. While predominantly given to boys since its medieval origins, contemporary naming practices have sometimes seen traditionally male names adopted for girls. As a feminine choice, Clifford would be quite distinctive and unconventional. The name carries associations of strength and ruggedness from its geographical origins, and might appeal to parents looking for a bold, unexpected choice for a daughter. The nickname Cliff or perhaps Cliffy might soften the name for feminine use.
Clifford for boys#1352 US
Clifford is beginning to overcome a slightly stodgy intellectual image and showing signs of possible revival. Kids might or might not like the association with the big red dog. In England, the Clifford family was a powerful family in the Middle Ages. In this country, it was well used for most of the twentieth century, peaking at Number 57 in 1909, but a Top 100 name through 1950. Most prominent American bearers: playwright Clifford Odets and jazz trumpet great Clifford Brown.
Pronounced CLIF-urd.
As of October 2026, Clifford ranked #10500 in US births in 1991 SSA, peaked at #589 in 1883.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | #1,414 | 119 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | #1,239 | 147 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | #1,309 | 138 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | #1,171 | 160 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | #1,275 | 144 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | #1,235 | 153 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | #1,344 | 133 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | #1,269 | 150 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | #1,269 | 152 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | #1,457 | 124 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | #1,340 | 142 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | #1,352 | 139 |
World rankings
Clifford for boys
Similar names
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Clifford on lists
Famous Cliffords
- Clifford Joseph Harris aka T.I.Boy
American rapper
- Clifford Smith aka Method ManBoy
American rapper
- Clifford Ian SimpsonBoy
aka Kevin Abstract, American rapper
- Clifford OdetsBoy
American playwright
- Clifford BallBoy
American aviator
- Clifford Parker "Cliff" Robertson IIIBoy
American actor
- Clifford Alan PickoverBoy
American science author
- Clifford S. Chapin IVBoy
American actor and animator
- Clifford James GeertzBoy
American anthropologist
- Clifford Bundy "Cliff" StearnsBoy
Sr., U.S. Congressman from Florida
- Clifford Lee "Cliff" BurtonBoy
American former bass guitarist for Metallica
- Clifford Edward BerryBoy
American inventor
- Clifford Michael IrvingBoy
American Author
- Clifford Glenwood ShullBoy
American physicist; winner of the Nobel Prize
- Clifford Tobin "Cliff" DeYoungBoy
American actor and musician
- (Clifford) Porter HallBoy
American actor
- Clifford Lee "Cliff" BurtonBoy
American bass guitarist for Metallica
- Clifford Charles "Cliff" ArquetteBoy
American actor
- Clifford John "Cliff" BoleBoy
American TV director
- Clifford Vivian Devon "Cliff" CurtisBoy
New Zealand actor
- Arthur Clifford "Cliff" MichelmoreBoy
English TV presenter
- Clifford Allen "Cliff" HarrisBoy
American NFL player
- Clifford OlinBoy
son of American actors Ken Olin and Patricia Wettig
Clifford in pop culture
- Clifford the Big Red DogBoy
children's book and TV character
- Clifford MontgomeryBoy
character on Canadian parody soap "Le coeur a ses raisons"
- Clifford "Cliff" ClavinBoy
character on TV's "Cheers'
- Clifford "Cliff" BlossomBoy
character in Archie Comics Universe
- Clifford "Cliff" SteeleBoy
also known as Robotman, character in DC Universe
- Clifford DanielsBoy
main character played by Martin Short in the 1994 black comedy film "Clifford"