Cleve

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Cleve

Pronounced KLEEV /ˈkliːv/High

Meaning: Cleve is a short form of Cleveland, an English place-name and surname meaning 'cliff land' or 'land of cliffs' (Old English clif). It also stands alone from the word cleve, 'cliff.' A trim, one-syllable name.Medium

In 30 seconds: Cleve is a short form of Cleveland, 'cliff land' (said 'KLEEV') — a brisk one-beat name.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningCleve is a short form of Cleveland, an English place-name and surname meaning 'cliff land' or 'land of cliffs' (Old English clif). It also stands alone from the word cleve, 'cliff.' A trim, one-syllable name.

U.S. rank (2013)#12491 ↗ Rising

2013 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1951

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,506

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Cleve is a short form of Cleveland, an English place-name and surname from Old English clif, 'cliff' — 'cliff land.' The fuller Cleveland gained ground as a given name in the late nineteenth century, and Cleve is its pared-down form. It was established by 1882, peaked in 1951, and stayed in quiet use for decades.

A man named Cleve at its early-fifties peak is now in his early seventies. The name has a plain, rugged Southern-classic feel; it reads vintage, sits with Cleveland, Clive and Reeve, and its 'cliff' meaning gives it a grounded, landscape sense. The single KLEEV beat is crisp and easy to wear.

Did you know? Cleve rode the coattails of Cleveland, a surname-name that surged after President Grover Cleveland — and then got clipped to a single syllable.

Overall data confidence 65%

References — Cleve — Short form of Cleveland (OE clif, 'cliff land')

Variations

ClevelandCleaveCleaves

Nicknames

Clevie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Cleve…

Cleveland— the full name Cleve shortens

Clive— a like short cliff-related name

Cletus— a same-era vintage Cl- boy's name

Reeve— a like one-beat English surname-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Cleve mean?

Cleve is a short form of Cleveland, meaning 'cliff land.'

How do you pronounce Cleve?

It's said KLEEV /ˈkliːv/ — one syllable.

Is Cleve a boy or girl name?

Cleve is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Cleve?

Cleve was a vintage boys' name that peaked in the early nineteen-fifties and has been rare since.