Holding steady.
Popularity of Cline since 1894
Babies named Cline per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1932, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Cline's real moment was 1905.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 17 |
| 1910s | 152 |
| 1920s | 184 |
| 1930s | 163 |
| 1940s | 125 |
| 1950s | 90 |
| 1960s | 43 |
| 1970s | 13 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 24 |
| 2010s | 24 |
| 2020s | 12 |
Meaning & origin
Cline is a rare given name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1894. It reached its highest usage in 1905, but even then it was uncommon. The name has remained consistently obscure since the early 20th century, never entering the top 1000. Its trajectory is stable at very low levels, and it was not recorded in any top states in recent decades. The name likely derives from the German surname Klein, meaning 'small', or may be an Americanized spelling of related surnames. For parents seeking a distinctive, short name with a vintage feel, Cline offers a rare choice that sidesteps more common surname-styles like Clark or Cole.
The name Cline is likely a variant spelling of Klein, a German and Dutch surname meaning 'small'. It may also have arisen independently as a transferred surname of English or German origin. As a given name, it has seen rare and sporadic use, primarily in the United States, with a peak in the early 1900s.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Cline
Names that share Cline's style, for a brother or sister.
