Holding steady.
Popularity of Clif since 1945
Babies named Clif per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 12 |
| 1950s | 90 |
| 1960s | 78 |
| 1970s | 7 |
| 1980s | 12 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Clif is a rare standalone name, typically a short form of Clifford. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1945, but its peak came in 1959, when it was most frequently used. Despite never ranking in the Top 1000, Clif has maintained a stable presence over the decades, reflecting its enduring if modest appeal. The name is essentially an American invention of the mid-20th century, used mainly in the 1950s and 1960s, and has remained consistently low in usage ever since.
Clif is a diminutive of Clifford, which derives from an English surname originating from various places named Clifford, meaning 'ford at a cliff' (Old English 'clif' meaning 'slope, cliff' and 'ford' meaning 'ford'). Clifford was established as a given name by the 19th century, and Clif emerged as a nickname in the mid-20th century, often used independently.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Cliff
Sibling names for Clif
Names that share Clif's style, for a brother or sister.
