Clive
How to say it: KLYVE · /ˈklaɪv/
From Old English 'clif' meaning 'cliff, slope' and surname for cliff-dweller - classic English gentleman's name.
Clive was the 1,887th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 57 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 2010s, its births are down about 29% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #2,038 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #1,887 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 57 |
| Share of births | 1 in 58,163 |
| Peak decade | 2010s |
| Change over 10 years | −29% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #2,038 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Clive peaked in the 2010s.
What goes with it
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Clive is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English.
Famous people named Clive
- Clive Owen (born 1964)English actor
- Clive Barker (born 1952)English author, film director, and visual artist
- Clive Dunn (1920–2012)British actor
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Keep exploring
About as popular as Clive
Find names you'll both love, starting with Clive
The one-minute style quiz.