Cliff
The given name is from shortenings of the diminutives.
Every Cliff since 1880 — 9,307 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cliff
Cliff is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,895 in 2025 with 43 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 9,307 American babies have been named Cliff. Its peak came in 1959, when 310 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Cliff stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cliff year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 43 | #2,895 |
| 2024 | 41 | #3,003 |
| 2023 | 39 | #3,130 |
| 2022 | 33 | #3,477 |
| 2021 | 29 | #3,755 |
| 2020 | 47 | #2,667 |
| 2019 | 26 | #4,026 |
| 2018 | 21 | #4,631 |
| 2017 | 24 | #4,246 |
| 2016 | 19 | #4,983 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5,338 |
| 2014 | 20 | #4,731 |
| 2013 | 14 | #5,981 |
| 2012 | 13 | #6,383 |
| 2011 | 21 | #4,532 |
| 2010 | 19 | #4,873 |
| 2009 | 12 | #6,880 |
| 2008 | 16 | #5,534 |
| 2007 | 20 | #4,671 |
| 2006 | 18 | #4,897 |
| 2005 | 17 | #4,863 |
| 2004 | 14 | #5,546 |
| 2003 | 15 | #5,078 |
| 2002 | 14 | #5,180 |
| 2001 | 19 | #4,153 |
| 2000 | 28 | #3,088 |
| 1995 | 24 | #2,934 |
| 1990 | 53 | #1,570 |
| 1985 | 109 | #868 |
| 1980 | 143 | #734 |
| 1975 | 80 | #918 |
| 1970 | 157 | #653 |
| 1965 | 174 | #579 |
| 1960 | 251 | #497 |
| 1955 | 148 | #610 |
| 1950 | 94 | #706 |
| 1945 | 97 | #613 |
| 1940 | 72 | #718 |
| 1935 | 59 | #805 |
| 1930 | 45 | #1,023 |
| 1925 | 37 | #1,167 |
| 1920 | 43 | #1,077 |
| 1915 | 58 | #794 |
| 1910 | 20 | #659 |
| 1905 | 23 | #466 |
| 1900 | 17 | #605 |
| 1895 | 21 | #428 |
| 1890 | 15 | #493 |
| 1885 | 14 | #504 |
| 1880 | 7 | #760 |
Famous people named Cliff
- Cliff Richard Musician · b. 1940
- Cliff Robertson Actor · 1923–2011
- Cliff Curtis Actor · b. 1968
- Cliff Martinez Musician · b. 1954
- Cliff Allison Racing driver · 1932–2005
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cliff mean?
The given name is from shortenings of the diminutives.
How popular is the name Cliff in 2025?
Cliff ranked #2,895 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 43 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Cliff?
9,307 babies have been named Cliff in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cliff most popular?
Cliff peaked in 1959, when 310 newborns received the name.
Is Cliff a boy or girl name?
Cliff is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cliff rising or falling?
Cliff is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cliff?
Well-known people named Cliff include Cliff Richard (musician), Cliff Robertson (actor), Cliff Curtis (actor).