Declining since 1985, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Cleveland since 1880
Babies named Cleveland per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cleveland's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 702 |
| 1890s | 524 |
| 1900s | 553 |
| 1910s | 2,219 |
| 1920s | 3,183 |
| 1930s | 2,480 |
| 1940s | 2,970 |
| 1950s | 3,069 |
| 1960s | 2,055 |
| 1970s | 1,498 |
| 1980s | 1,107 |
| 1990s | 743 |
| 2000s | 474 |
| 2010s | 280 |
| 2020s | 88 |
Meaning & origin
Cleveland experienced its peak popularity in 1884, ranking #7,194 in 2025. The name was first recorded in 1880, and its usage has been steadily declining since around 1985. While it does not appear among top states for recent years, its historical use is tied to the prominence of President Grover Cleveland and the Ohio city. As a place name turned surname and given name, Cleveland evokes a sense of American heritage and is a rarity in modern nurseries.
Cleveland is an English surname and place name, derived from the Old English elements 'clif' (cliff, bank, slope) and 'land' (land). The name originally referred to the district in northern Yorkshire, England. As a given name, it gained popularity in the 19th century, likely influenced by President Grover Cleveland and the city of Cleveland, Ohio.
Where Cleveland is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cleve, Clev
Sibling names for Cleveland
Names that share Cleveland's style, for a brother or sister.
