An uncommon Old English pick — distinctive and rare.
A diminutive of the male given name Clifford or Clifton.
Cliff is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, a short form of Clifford meaning 'ford near a cliff.' It evokes the dramatic landscape of rocky coastal heights — rugged, dramatic, and grounded in nature.
Sir Cliff Richard, one of the best-selling music artists in UK history, gave the name its most famous face, making it feel both nostalgic and rock-and-roll.
Cliff climbed 2551 spots in the last 20 years — from #5546 to #2995.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 189 | — |
| 2010s | 194 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 173 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 323 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 1,082 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 1,061 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 1,976 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 1,568 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 910 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 545 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 404 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 357 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 194 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 157 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 132 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 41 | #2995 |
| 2023 | 39 | #3127 |
| 2022 | 33 | #3475 |
| 2021 | 29 | #3753 |
| 2020 | 47 | #2667 |
| 2019 | 26 | #4024 |
| 2018 | 21 | #4631 |
| 2017 | 24 | #4245 |
| 2016 | 19 | #4982 |
| 2015 | 17 | #5338 |
| 2014 | 20 | #4730 |
| 2013 | 14 | #5981 |
| 2012 | 13 | #6382 |
| 2011 | 21 | #4530 |
| 2010 | 19 | #4872 |
| 2009 | 12 | #6878 |
| 2008 | 16 | #5534 |
| 2007 | 20 | #4669 |
| 2006 | 18 | #4897 |
| 2005 | 17 | #4861 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology