Cliff

♂ Boy

Cliff Pronunciation

Cliff is pronounced KLIF /klɪf/High

Meaning: Ford by the cliff; cliff slopeHigh

In 30 seconds: Cliff is a crisp one-syllable name rooted in Old English, used independently or as a short form of Clifford, evoking dramatic natural landscapes.

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Origin HighOld English

MeaningFord by the cliff; cliff slope

U.S. rank (2024)#2995 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births41 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1959

Total births (all-time)≈ 9,265

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Cliff derives from Old English clif, meaning a steep rock face or escarpment. As a standalone name it was used in the 19th and early 20th centuries, frequently as a diminutive of Clifford.

By the 1950s and 1960s, Cliff stood confidently on its own. Cliff Richard in the UK and Cliff Robertson in the US gave the name a rugged, cool image that sustained it through several decades.

Did you know? The name Cliff surged in mid-20th-century pop culture partly through British rock icon Cliff Richard, born Harry Webb, who took the stage name in 1958.

Overall data confidence 92%

Oxford English Dictionary — clif Old English etymologyBehind the Name — Cliff as independent given name and short form of Clifford

Variations

CliffordCliffe

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Cliff Richard (1940–present)
British pop singer and one of the United Kingdom's best-selling recording artists of all time.
★Cliff Robertson (1923–2011)
American actor who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1968 film 'Charly'.

If you like Cliff…

Clive— similar one-syllable Old English feel

Cole— short punchy name with comparable sound pattern

Chad— another Old English name

Caine— another Old English name

Rayne— another Old English name

→ See all names like Cliff

Browse the whole category: All Old English names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Cliff?

Cliff is pronounced KLIF (/klɪf/). Press play above to hear Cliff said aloud.

How do you say Cliff?

Cliff is said KLIF (/klɪf/). Press play above to hear Cliff said aloud.

What does the name Cliff mean?

Cliff means 'ford by a cliff' or simply 'cliff,' from Old English clif. It is often used as a short form of Clifford.

Is Cliff a boy or girl name?

Cliff is virtually exclusively a boy's name.

How popular is Cliff?

Cliff was most popular in the mid-20th century in the US and UK and remains in occasional use today as a retro classic.