Holding steady.
Popularity of Cleavon since 1921
Babies named Cleavon per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 9 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 134 |
| 1980s | 50 |
| 1990s | 17 |
| 2000s | 15 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Cleavon is a rare masculine name with a modern, invented feel. Its earliest recorded use dates to 1921, but it saw its highest popularity in 1973, the peak year for the name. Since then, its usage has remained stable at very low levels, and in 2025 it does not appear in Social Security Administration rankings. The name is most often associated with African American communities, though it has occasionally been used across different backgrounds. While the exact etymology is uncertain, Cleavon likely originated as a creative combination of sounds, reflecting a broader trend of novel name formation in the 20th century.
Cleavon is a name of uncertain origin. It may be a modern invented name, possibly blending elements like 'Cleve' (from Cleveland) with the fashionable suffix '-on', or a variant of the Greek name Cleon, meaning 'famous'. The name gained some visibility in the 1970s, coinciding with its recorded peak usage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Clee, Von
Variants: Cleveon, Cleovan
Sibling names for Cleavon
Names that share Cleavon's style, for a brother or sister.
