Boy
Clifford
ford near a cliff
About Clifford
There's something wonderfully substantial about Clifford, a classic name that has weathered changing trends with dignified grace. This traditional English name carries a sense of establishment and reliability, appealing to parents who appreciate vintage names with enduring charm. Clifford possesses an old-world gentility that never feels stuffy or outdated—instead, it offers a refreshing alternative to more common contemporary choices. The name suggests stability and trustworthiness, qualities that serve individuals well throughout their lives. While Clifford might not top current popularity charts, this relative rarity is precisely its appeal for many families seeking something distinctive yet familiar. The name has a pleasant rhythm, with its two syllables creating a balanced, comfortable sound. Clifford naturally shortens to "Cliff," offering flexibility between formal and casual contexts. Parents choosing Clifford often value tradition and timelessness over trendiness, wanting names that won't feel dated in twenty years because they've already stood the test of time for generations. The name has literary and cultural associations that add depth and character. It's particularly appealing for families with British heritage or those who appreciate classic English naming traditions. Clifford represents a thoughtful choice that honors the past while providing a solid foundation for the future, proving that sometimes the best names are those that have quietly endured.
Popularity of the Name Clifford
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #107 | |||
| 1881 | #112 | |||
| 1882 | #94 | |||
| 1883 | #100 | |||
| 1884 | #102 | |||
| 1885 | #104 | |||
| 1886 | #95 | |||
| 1887 | #91 | |||
| 1888 | #92 | |||
| 1889 | #87 | |||
| 1890 | #83 | |||
| 1891 | #81 | |||
| 1892 | #80 | |||
| 1893 | #71 | |||
| 1894 | #65 | |||
| 1895 | #72 | |||
| 1896 | #66 | |||
| 1897 | #68 | |||
| 1898 | #67 | |||
| 1899 | #62 | |||
| 1900 | #66 | #56 | ||
| 1901 | #69 | #77 | ||
| 1902 | #71 | #65 | ||
| 1903 | #61 | #70 | ||
| 1904 | #66 | #55 | ||
| 1905 | #61 | #62 | ||
| 1906 | #63 | #54 | ||
| 1907 | #65 | #56 | ||
| 1908 | #58 | #54 | ||
| 1909 | #57 | #49 | ||
| 1910 | #66 | #48 | ||
| 1911 | #62 | #47 | ||
| 1912 | #62 | #55 | ||
| 1913 | #68 | #51 | ||
| 1914 | #62 | #47 | ||
| 1915 | #61 | #53 | ||
| 1916 | #61 | #51 | ||
| 1917 | #59 | #51 | ||
| 1918 | #60 | #57 | ||
| 1919 | #60 | #55 | ||
| 1920 | #59 | #49 | ||
| 1921 | #62 | #54 | ||
| 1922 | #63 | #58 | ||
| 1923 | #65 | #62 | ||
| 1924 | #64 | #55 | ||
| 1925 | #59 | #61 | ||
| 1926 | #62 | #63 | ||
| 1927 | #65 | #66 | ||
| 1928 | #68 | #74 | ||
| 1929 | #72 | #65 | ||
| 1930 | #73 | #70 | ||
| 1931 | #75 | #82 | ||
| 1932 | #84 | #78 | ||
| 1933 | #86 | #83 | ||
| 1934 | #85 | #99 | ||
| 1935 | #88 | #90 | ||
| 1936 | #90 | #87 | ||
| 1937 | #90 | #94 | ||
| 1938 | #89 | #98 | ||
| 1939 | #88 | #95 | ||
| 1940 | #94 | #93 | ||
| 1941 | #94 | #109 | ||
| 1942 | #95 | #107 | ||
| 1943 | #94 | #111 | ||
| 1944 | #99 | #80 | ||
| 1945 | #99 | #89 | ||
| 1946 | #100 | #91 | ||
| 1947 | #101 | #126 | ||
| 1948 | #105 | #103 | ||
| 1949 | #103 | #119 | ||
| 1950 | #100 | #125 | ||
| 1951 | #101 | #97 | ||
| 1952 | #99 | #114 | ||
| 1953 | #102 | #113 | ||
| 1954 | #112 | #119 | ||
| 1955 | #118 | #132 | ||
| 1956 | #122 | #131 | ||
| 1957 | #130 | #127 | ||
| 1958 | #128 | #136 | ||
| 1959 | #139 | #147 | ||
| 1960 | #141 | #137 | ||
| 1961 | #149 | #147 | ||
| 1962 | #150 | #134 | ||
| 1963 | #150 | #196 | ||
| 1964 | #161 | #147 | ||
| 1965 | #163 | #186 | ||
| 1966 | #169 | #187 | #202 | |
| 1967 | #174 | #167 | #225 | |
| 1968 | #167 | #202 | #226 | |
| 1969 | #184 | #208 | #299 | |
| 1970 | #176 | #235 | #221 | |
| 1971 | #185 | #246 | #217 | |
| 1972 | #186 | #282 | #284 | |
| 1973 | #193 | #238 | #176 | |
| 1974 | #193 | #265 | #220 | |
| 1975 | #199 | #252 | #227 | |
| 1976 | #205 | #241 | #192 | |
| 1977 | #224 | #253 | #200 | |
| 1978 | #217 | #269 | #231 | |
| 1979 | #220 | #253 | #196 | |
| 1980 | #202 | #218 | #142 | |
| 1981 | #210 | #269 | #192 | |
| 1982 | #212 | #221 | #167 | |
| 1983 | #228 | #209 | ||
| 1984 | #225 | #279 | #224 | |
| 1985 | #253 | #243 | #220 | |
| 1986 | #257 | #204 | ||
| 1987 | #286 | #300 | #253 | |
| 1988 | #298 | #275 | ||
| 1989 | #309 | |||
| 1990 | #346 | |||
| 1991 | #388 | #341 | #466 | |
| 1992 | #416 | #351 | #478 | |
| 1993 | #455 | #565 | ||
| 1994 | #506 | #590 | ||
| 1995 | #534 | #548 | ||
| 1996 | #538 | #619 | ||
| 1997 | #573 | #574 | ||
| 1998 | #654 | |||
| 1999 | #619 | |||
| 2000 | #752 | #872 | ||
| 2001 | #730 | #875 | ||
| 2002 | #843 | #961 | ||
| 2003 | #937 | |||
| 2004 | #826 | |||
| 2005 | #925 |
Top names by country: United States · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Clifford
Names Similar to Clifford
Nicknames for Clifford
- Cliff
- Ford
- Cliffy
- Fordy
- Clif
Famous People Named Clifford
| Clifford Brown | American jazz trumpeter |
| Clifford Odets | American playwright |
| Clifford Irving | American author |
| Clifford D. Simak | American science fiction writer |
| Clifford Geertz | American anthropologist |
| Clifford Rozier | American basketball player |
| Clifford Truesdell | American mathematician |
| Clifford Etienne | American boxer |
| Clifford Robinson | American basketball player |
| Clifford Gray | British politician |
| Clifford Jarvis | American drummer |
| Clifford Lee | American politician |
| Clifford Williams | British musician |
| Clifford Herzer | South African cricketer |
| Clifford Wanamaker | American politician |
| Clifford Allison | American race car driver |
| Clifford Wilson | Canadian archaeologist |
| Clifford Coulter | American musician |
| Clifford Ashby | American historian |
Characters Named Clifford
| Clifford "Cliff" Huxtable | The Cosby Show |
| Clifford "Cliff" Clavin | Cheers |
| Clifford "Cliff" Steele | DC Comics character, Doom Patrol |
| Clifford "Cliff" Secord | The Rocketeer |
| Clifford DeVoe | DC Comics character, The Thinker |
| Clifford "Cliff" Vandercave | The Flintstones |
| Clifford "Cliff" Britton | FIFA video game series |
| Clifford "Cliff" Calley | The West Wing |
| Clifford "Cliff" Smith | The Office |
| Clifford "Cliff" McCormack | Veronica Mars |
| Clifford "Cliff" Fletcher | The Great Santini |
| Clifford "Cliff" Dempsey | Coronation Street |
| Clifford "Cliff" Barnes | Dallas |
| Clifford "Cliff" Clifton | General Hospital |
| Clifford "Cliff" Simmons | Home and Away |
| Clifford "Cliff" O'Malley | Law & Order |
| Clifford "Cliff" Waters | Baywatch |
| Clifford "Cliff" Bradley | Neighbours |
| Clifford "Cliff" Arquette | The Mothers-in-Law |
| Clifford "Cliff" Curtis | Fear the Walking Dead |