Clifford Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationKLIF-erd / /ˈklɪf.ərd/English
Meaning
Cliffside; ford by a cliff
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Clifford has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "clif," meaning "cliff," and "ford," meaning "river crossing." This etymology suggests a geographical origin, likely referring to a settlement near a cliff by a river crossing. The name can be traced back to the early medieval period in England, where it appeared in various forms, including Cliford and Cliforde, as surnames before evolving into a given name. The transition into a first name occurred as surnames became increasingly used as personal identifiers during the late Middle Ages.
One notable historical milestone associated with the name is the 12th-century figure Clifford de Clifford, a Norman nobleman who held lands in Yorkshire. The name gained further prominence through the 14th-century English noble family, the Cliffords, who were significant landowners and played a role in the Wars of the Roses. The family's involvement in English history, particularly during the 15th century, helped solidify the name's presence in the cultural landscape of England.
Culturally, the name Clifford has been associated with strength and stability, reflective of its geographical roots. The imagery of cliffs and river crossings evokes notions of resilience and endurance, qualities that have contributed to the name's lasting appeal. Additionally, the diminutive form "Cliff" has emerged as a familiar variant, often used in informal contexts. Overall, the name Clifford carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in the landscape of England and its noble heritage.
Trend Summary
Clifford has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable peak in the mid-20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Cliff
- Cliffie
International Variants
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Famous people named Clifford
Clifford Brown is a jazz trumpeter best known for his work with the Max Roach Quintet, his recordings as a bandleader, and the album 'Study in Brown'.
Clifford Geertz was an anthropologist best known for his works 'The Interpretation of Cultures', 'Agricultural Involution', and 'Local Knowledge'.
Clifford Odets was a playwright and screenwriter best known for 'Waiting for Lefty', 'Awake and Sing!', and 'Golden Boy'.
Clifford Stoll is an astronomer and author best known for 'The Cuckoo's Egg', 'Silicon Snake Oil', and his work in computer security.
Fictional characters named Clifford
Clifford the Big Red Dog is a fictional character from the children's book series Clifford the Big Red Dog. He is a giant red dog who embarks on various adventures with his owner, Emily Elizabeth.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Clifford was first seen in the United States in 1880. Clifford has ranked as high as #140 nationally, which occurred in 1925, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Clifford has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Clifford (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
CA | 14 | |
TX | 10 | |
WI | 8 | |
NY | 7 | |
MO | 6 | |
OH | 6 | |
FL | 6 | |
GA | 6 | |
IL | 6 | |
MN | 5 | |
AR | 5 | |
SC | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 127 |
1881 | 110 |
1882 | 155 |
1883 | 138 |
1884 | 150 |
1885 | 139 |
1886 | 172 |
1887 | 165 |
1888 | 194 |
1889 | 202 |
1890 | 207 |
1891 | 196 |
1892 | 240 |
1893 | 269 |
1894 | 307 |
1895 | 272 |
1896 | 311 |
1897 | 285 |
1898 | 317 |
1899 | 297 |
1900 | 409 |
1901 | 282 |
1902 | 326 |
1903 | 348 |
1904 | 361 |
1905 | 420 |
1906 | 413 |
1907 | 445 |
1908 | 515 |
1909 | 536 |
1910 | 551 |
1911 | 694 |
1912 | 1,345 |
1913 | 1,520 |
1914 | 1,960 |
1915 | 2,741 |
1916 | 2,767 |
1917 | 2,969 |
1918 | 3,299 |
1919 | 3,040 |
1920 | 3,291 |
1921 | 3,262 |
1922 | 3,157 |
1923 | 3,106 |
1924 | 3,250 |
1925 | 3,424 |
1926 | 3,190 |
1927 | 3,031 |
1928 | 2,862 |
1929 | 2,669 |
1930 | 2,697 |
1931 | 2,451 |
1932 | 2,286 |
1933 | 2,158 |
1934 | 2,315 |
1935 | 2,265 |
1936 | 2,132 |
1937 | 2,230 |
1938 | 2,276 |
1939 | 2,291 |
1940 | 2,185 |
1941 | 2,363 |
1942 | 2,533 |
1943 | 2,666 |
1944 | 2,394 |
1945 | 2,384 |
1946 | 2,616 |
1947 | 2,990 |
1948 | 2,793 |
1949 | 2,898 |
1950 | 2,941 |
1951 | 3,160 |
1952 | 3,317 |
1953 | 3,157 |
1954 | 3,141 |
1955 | 2,995 |
1956 | 2,911 |
1957 | 2,893 |
1958 | 2,810 |
1959 | 2,536 |
1960 | 2,463 |
1961 | 2,341 |
1962 | 2,183 |
1963 | 2,198 |
1964 | 2,019 |
1965 | 1,821 |
1966 | 1,611 |
1967 | 1,513 |
1968 | 1,608 |
1969 | 1,506 |
1970 | 1,582 |
1971 | 1,382 |
1972 | 1,268 |
1973 | 1,175 |
1974 | 1,149 |
1975 | 1,124 |
1976 | 1,065 |
1977 | 972 |
1978 | 1,002 |
1979 | 1,045 |
1980 | 1,214 |
1981 | 1,178 |
1982 | 1,141 |
1983 | 974 |
1984 | 997 |
1985 | 894 |
1986 | 866 |
1987 | 754 |
1988 | 764 |
1989 | 774 |
1990 | 700 |
1991 | 584 |
1992 | 538 |
1993 | 475 |
1994 | 402 |
1995 | 357 |
1996 | 356 |
1997 | 323 |
1998 | 267 |
1999 | 293 |
2000 | 224 |
2001 | 238 |
2002 | 197 |
2003 | 175 |
2004 | 215 |
2005 | 190 |
2006 | 168 |
2007 | 181 |
2008 | 163 |
2009 | 144 |
2010 | 143 |
2011 | 135 |
2012 | 138 |
2013 | 138 |
2014 | 119 |
2015 | 147 |
2016 | 138 |
2017 | 160 |
2018 | 144 |
2019 | 153 |
2020 | 133 |
2021 | 150 |
2022 | 152 |
2023 | 124 |
2024 | 142 |