Clive Boy

Popularity: #881 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KLYV //klaɪv//

Origin: Old English; Welsh

Meaning: Old English: cliff; Welsh: hilly place

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Clive is of Old English origin, derived from the word "clif," meaning "slope" or "bank." This etymological root reflects the geographical features of the landscape, suggesting that the name may have originally been used to denote someone who lived near a cliff or a steep bank. The name entered the English language during the early medieval period, evolving from its Old English form into a more recognizable format as the language transitioned through various stages, including Middle English.

Historically, the name Clive gained prominence in the 18th century, particularly through the figure of Robert Clive (1725–1774), a British officer and the first British administrator of Bengal. Clive played a significant role in establishing British control over India, and his actions during the Battle of Plassey in 1757 were pivotal in the expansion of British colonial influence.

His legacy contributed to the name's association with leadership and military prowess, marking a significant milestone in British history. Culturally, the name Clive has been associated with strength and resilience, likely due to its historical connections.

The name has also been used in literature and the arts, further embedding it within the cultural fabric of English-speaking societies. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Clivy" have emerged, reflecting a more affectionate or informal usage, though these variations are less documented.

Overall, Clive's etymological roots, historical significance, and cultural associations contribute to its enduring presence in English nomenclature.

Famous people named Clive

In this section, you will find notable people named Clive. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Clive who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Clive who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Clive Owen is an actor best known for Closer, Sin City, and The Knick.

Clive Barker is an author and filmmaker best known for Hellraiser, Candyman, and Books of Blood.

Clive James was a writer and television presenter best known for Clive James on Television, Postcard from Paris, and his literary criticism.

Fictional characters named Clive

The following list of fictional characters named Clive is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Clive is a fictional character from the video game series Clive Barker's Jericho. He is a member of a special forces team tasked with combating supernatural threats.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Clive, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ClydeCameronColeCalebCarterCyrus

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Clive. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

ClydeCleoClaraCadenCyrusClemClintClaudClancy

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Clive was first seen in the United States in 1885.

Clive has ranked as high as #3961 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, Washington, and Florida.

In the past 5 years the name Clive has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Clive is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Clive was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Clive.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 57 57
2024 74 74
2023 54 54
2022 55 55
2021 69 69
2020 55 55
2019 64 64
2018 82 82
2017 67 67
2016 85 85
2015 82 82
2014 77 77
2013 56 56
2012 67 67
2011 53 53
2010 57 57
2009 56 56
2008 49 49
2007 45 45
2006 38 38
2005 21 21
2004 20 20
2003 18 18
2002 14 14
2001 9 9
2000 19 19
1999 17 17
1998 12 12
1997 22 22
1996 12 12
1995 19 19
1994 16 16
1993 15 15
1992 23 23
1991 37 37
1990 27 27
1989 11 11
1988 24 24
1987 18 18
1986 18 18
1985 13 13
1984 18 18
1983 18 18
1982 9 9
1981 15 15
1980 11 11
1979 13 13
1978 13 13
1977 14 14
1976 6 6
1975 12 12
1974 10 10
1973 9 9
1971 13 13
1970 10 10
1969 6 6
1968 13 13
1967 14 14
1966 10 10
1965 8 8
1964 17 17
1963 28 28
1962 10 10
1961 17 17
1960 19 19
1959 17 17
1958 19 19
1957 18 18
1956 19 19
1955 26 26
1954 23 23
1953 22 22
1952 27 27
1951 30 30
1950 19 19
1949 22 22
1948 24 24
1947 38 38
1946 29 29
1945 23 23
1944 24 24
1943 25 25
1942 41 41
1941 20 20
1940 19 19
1939 25 25
1938 27 27
1937 34 34
1936 28 28
1935 41 41
1934 36 36
1933 40 40
1932 39 39
1931 51 51
1930 50 50
1929 27 27
1928 27 27
1927 23 23
1926 26 26
1925 27 27
1924 31 31
1923 30 30
1922 27 27
1921 26 26
1920 26 26
1919 28 28
1918 31 31
1917 28 28
1916 18 18
1915 34 34
1914 19 19
1913 14 14
1912 10 10
1910 8 8
1909 6 6
1908 8 8
1906 11 11
1904 5 5
1900 5 5
1899 8 8
1897 8 8
1896 6 6
1895 7 7
1894 5 5
1892 6 6
1885 5 5

Top States for Clive (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 11
46%
CA 8
33%
PA 5
21%