Cleave
Every Cleave since 1885 — 403 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cleave
Cleave is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1885, 403 American babies have been named Cleave. Its peak came in 1920, when 18 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cleave stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cleave year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | 10 | #2,460 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 5 | #3,543 |
| 1935 | 7 | #3,005 |
| 1930 | 7 | #3,344 |
| 1925 | 7 | #3,467 |
| 1920 | 18 | #1,899 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,145 |
| 1910 | 6 | #1,452 |
| 1905 | 5 | #1,266 |
| 1900 | 5 | #1,352 |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | 6 | #909 |
| 1885 | 6 | #851 |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Cleave in 2025?
Cleave did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Cleave?
403 babies have been named Cleave in the United States since 1885, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cleave most popular?
Cleave peaked in 1920, when 18 newborns received the name.
Is Cleave a boy or girl name?
Cleave is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cleave rising or falling?
Cleave has been roughly stable over the past decade.