Clift

A boy's name of Old English origin with 12 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's nameRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

Clift peaked during the Baby Boom, when 6 babies received this name in a single year (1946). That era was defined by classic, post-war American naming, and Clift has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.

Clift is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.

Clift is a boy's baby name of Old English origin meaning 'cliff' or 'steep rock,' an English topographical surname occasionally used as a given name.

EtymologyShow more

Phonetically, Clift belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At one syllable, it has a punchy, memorable cadence that makes an immediate impression.

Within the Old English naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Old English names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Clift’s linguistic neighborhood.

At a Glance

Total births

Since 1946

1946

Peak

6 births

1946

First recorded

16 years of data

Compare Clift with another name

Popularity Over Time

Clift has 2+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1946.

First appeared: 1946Peak: 1946 (6 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Clift
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
1960s	6	#3712	—
1940s	6	#3236	—

The Story of Clift

A Baby Boomer name

Peaking in 1946, Clift is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Boys named Clift are most likely born between 1946 and 1956.

How rare is Clift?

With fewer than 500 recorded births, Clift is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1946, peaked in the 1940s with 6 births that decade, and continues to thrive.

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(2 years, 1946–1961)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Clift
Year	Births	Rank	Change
1961	6	#3712	0
1946	6	#3236	—

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clift a boy's or girl's name?

Clift is primarily a boy's name.

When was Clift most popular?

Clift reached its peak popularity in 1946 with 6 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Clift?

Clift is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 12 babies in the U.S. since 1946. Its peak was in 1946.

Explore More

By Length5-letter names By OriginOld English names By EndingNames in -t TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1946–1961