Clive

At a Glance: Name: Clive – Meaning: cliff (dweller near a cliff) – Origin: Old English (surname) – Gender: primarily used for boys – Pronunciation: KLYV

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Clive is an Old English surname name that literally means "cliff," originally given to someone who lived near a cliff. It's a solid, no-frills choice with a clear, tangible meaning behind it rather than an abstract or poetic one. If you're drawn to names rooted in landscape and place, Clive fits that mold.

Meaning & Origin of Clive

Meaning: Cliff (dweller near a cliff).

Origin: Old English (surname).

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Clive

Phonetic: KLYV   IPA: /klaɪv/

Popularity of Clive

Clive has never been a common name in the U.S., peaking at #764 in 1906 with just 11 babies given the name. By 2024 it had fallen to #2056, with only 73 boys named Clive that year, based on Social Security Administration data spanning 1885 to 2024.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1885–2024.

Make Clive Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Clive, 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.

• Leonor
• Queen
• Eunice
• Bea
• Floyd
• Holt

FAQ

What does the name Clive mean?

Cliff (dweller near a cliff). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Clive)

How do you pronounce Clive?

Clive is pronounced KLYV (IPA: /klaɪv/).

Is Clive a popular name right now?

Clive peaked at #764 in 1906 and is ranked #2056 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1885–2024.)

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