Cliff

At a Glance: Name: Cliff – Meaning: short form of Clifford or Clifton, from Old English clif 'cliff, steep bank' – Origin: English (diminutive of Clifford/Clifton) – Gender: primarily used for boys – Pronunciation: KLIF

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Cliff is a short form of Clifford or Clifton, both rooted in the Old English word clif, meaning 'cliff, steep bank.' It's an English name, so parents can use it on its own or as a nickname tucked inside either longer name. It has a clear, sturdy word behind it rather than anything abstract or invented.

Meaning & Origin of Cliff

Meaning: Short form of Clifford or Clifton, from Old English clif 'cliff, steep bank'.

Origin: English (diminutive of Clifford/Clifton).

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Cliff

Phonetic: KLIF   IPA: /klɪf/

Popularity of Cliff

Social Security records dating back to 1880 show Cliff at its highest point in 1886, ranked #358 with 23 babies given the name; by 2024 it had slipped to #2995, given to 41 babies that year.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make Cliff Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Cliff, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Larkin
• Levin
• Avie
• Jemima
• Reason
• Zulema

FAQ

What does the name Cliff mean?

Short form of Clifford or Clifton, from Old English clif ‘cliff, steep bank’. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Cliff)

How do you pronounce Cliff?

Cliff is pronounced KLIF (IPA: /klɪf/).

Is Cliff a popular name right now?

Cliff peaked at #358 in 1886 and is ranked #2995 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

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