Clifford
How to say it: KLIF-urd · /ˈklɪfərd/
From an English place name and surname meaning 'ford by a cliff' (Old English clif + ford).
Clifford was the 1,177th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 139 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1910s, its births are down about 5% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #1,204 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #1,177 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 139 |
| Share of births | 1 in 23,851 |
| Peak decade | 1910s |
| Change over 10 years | −5% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,204 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Long established, Clifford soared highest back in the 1910s and now rests far below that height. It remains in steady use though more softening is on the horizon.
What goes with it
Firm and crisp in tone, it can shorten to Cliff or Ford. Alfred shares its vintage manner.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Clifford is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English.
Famous people named Clifford
- Clifford Shull (1915–2001)American physicist
- Clifford D. Simak (1904–1988)American writer, journalist
- Clifford Geertz (1926–2006)American anthropologist
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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