Clifford

English
"lives near the ford by the cliff"

Clifford Origin and Meaning

The name Clifford is a boy's name of English origin meaning "lives near the ford by the cliff".

Clifford is beginning to overcome a slightly stodgy intellectual image and showing signs of possible revival. Kids might or might not like the association with the big red dog. In England, the Clifford family was a powerful family in the Middle Ages. In this country, it was well used for most of the twentieth century, peaking at Number 57 in 1909, but a Top 100 name through 1950. Most prominent American bearers: playwright Clifford Odets and jazz trumpet great Clifford Brown.

# 920 in the US

Clifford Rank in US Top 1000

# 1141 on Nameberry

Clifford Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Clifford Popularity

Famous People Named Clifford

  • Clifford Joseph Harris aka T.I.
    American rapper
  • Clifford Smith aka Method Man
    American rapper
  • Clifford Ian Simpson
    aka Kevin Abstract, American rapper
  • Clifford Odets
    American playwright
  • Clifford Ball
    American aviator
  • Clifford Parker "Cliff" Robertson III
    American actor
  • Clifford Alan Pickover
    American science author
  • Clifford S. Chapin IV
    American actor and animator
  • Clifford James Geertz
    American anthropologist
  • Clifford Bundy "Cliff" Stearns
    Sr., U.S. Congressman from Florida
  • Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton
    American former bass guitarist for Metallica
  • Clifford Edward Berry
    American inventor
  • Clifford Michael Irving
    American Author
  • Clifford Glenwood Shull
    American physicist; winner of the Nobel Prize
  • Clifford Tobin "Cliff" DeYoung
    American actor and musician
  • (Clifford) Porter Hall
    American actor
  • Clifford Lee "Cliff" Burton
    American bass guitarist for Metallica
  • Clifford Charles "Cliff" Arquette
    American actor
  • Clifford John "Cliff" Bole
    American TV director
  • Clifford Vivian Devon "Cliff" Curtis
    New Zealand actor
  • Arthur Clifford "Cliff" Michelmore
    English TV presenter
  • Clifford Allen "Cliff" Harris
    American NFL player
  • Clifford Olin
    son of American actors Ken Olin and Patricia Wettig

Clifford in Pop Culture

  • Clifford the Big Red Dog
    children's book and TV character
  • Clifford Montgomery
    character on Canadian parody soap "Le coeur a ses raisons"
  • Clifford "Cliff" Clavin
    character on TV's "Cheers'
  • Clifford "Cliff" Blossom
    character in Archie Comics Universe
  • Clifford "Cliff" Steele
    also known as Robotman, character in DC Universe
  • Clifford Daniels
    main character played by Martin Short in the 1994 black comedy film "Clifford"