Holding steady.
Popularity of Cleophus since 1904
Babies named Cleophus per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cleophus's real moment was 1904.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 15 |
| 1910s | 126 |
| 1920s | 287 |
| 1930s | 297 |
| 1940s | 317 |
| 1950s | 356 |
| 1960s | 247 |
| 1970s | 170 |
| 1980s | 122 |
| 1990s | 69 |
| 2000s | 17 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Cleophus is a name of ancient lineage but extremely rare modern usage. Its earliest recorded use in the U.S. dates to 1904, and it has never appeared in the Social Security Administration's top 1000 names, reflecting its status as an uncommon choice even at its peak. The name's trajectory has remained stable but virtually nonexistent, with no revival in later decades. No states reported enough births to identify a regional concentration. As a variant of the New Testament Cleophas, the name carries a subtle biblical echo, but its spelling Cleophus remains a distinctively American artifact of naming creativity in the early 20th century. Parents considering Cleophus today would be giving a name that is undeniably unique yet grounded in historical roots.
Cleophus is likely a variant of Cleophas, which appears in the New Testament as the Greek form of a Hebrew name. The name Cleophas itself is derived from the Greek elements 'kleos' (glory) and 'pater' (father), thus 'glory of the father'. However, the spelling Cleophus may be an American invention or a respelling. The name saw very rare use in the United States, first recorded in 1904.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cleo
Variants: Cleophas, Cleopas
Sibling names for Cleophus
Names that share Cleophus's style, for a brother or sister.
