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Home › Baby Names Directory › Clifford

Clifford

♂ Boy

Pronounced KLIF-ord /ˈklɪf.ərd/Low

Meaning: Ford by the cliff; cliff crossingLow

In 30 seconds: Clifford is an English place name meaning ford by a cliff from Old English clif (cliff) and ford (river crossing). Borne by beloved literary character Clifford the Big Red Dog and serious philosophers, it has warm accessible vintage quality.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningFord by the cliff; cliff crossing
U.S. rank (2025)#1352 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births139 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1925
Total births (all-time)≈ 188,248

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192518802025

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

Clifford derives from Old English clif (cliff) and ford (ford or crossing). It was an English place name and surname before becoming a given name in the 19th century.

Clifford has a warm retro quality and the beloved Clifford the Big Red Dog keeps the name in cultural consciousness.

Did you know? Clifford the Big Red Dog — created by Norman Bridwell in 1963 — is one of children's literature's most beloved characters. Still in print after 60 years, this bright red dog has made Clifford one of the warmest vintage names in American culture.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Clifford

Variations

CliffClifton

Nicknames

CliffCliffie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Clifford Brown (1930-1956)
    Influential American jazz trumpeter whose virtuosic playing shaped hard bop before his early death in a car crash

If you like Clifford…

Clinton— Same Clif- prefix place name
Clifton— Same Clif- prefix settlement
Winslow— Two-syllable English place name of same vintage
Edgar— Two-syllable vintage name of same era

Explore names like Clifford

By themeenglishtwo-syllableplace-namevintage
By meaningRock / Stone

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Clifford mean?

Clifford means ford by a cliff from Old English clif (cliff) and ford (river crossing).

Who is Clifford the Big Red Dog?

Clifford the Big Red Dog was created by Norman Bridwell in 1963 and remains one of children's literature's most beloved characters.

How do you pronounce Clifford?

Clifford is pronounced KLIF-ord with two syllables.

What names are similar to Clifford?

Similar vintage names include Clinton, Clifton, and Edgar.

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