What Does the Name Clifford Mean?
Clifford is a boy's name of English origin meaning “ford by a cliff.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Clifford |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | English |
| Meaning | ford by a cliff |
| Variants | Cliff, Cliffy |
| Popularity | Popular in the United States in the early 20th century; now uncommon, familiar from the children's character Clifford the Big Red Dog. |
The meaning and origin of Clifford
The name Clifford means “ford by a cliff” and has English origins. A transferred use of an English surname derived from a place name meaning 'ford by a slope or cliff' in Old English ('clif' plus 'ford'). It became a common given name in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Variants and related names
Clifford is related to several other names you may recognize: Cliff, Cliffy. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Clifford?
Popular in the United States in the early 20th century; now uncommon, familiar from the children's character Clifford the Big Red Dog.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Clifford mean?+
The name Clifford means “ford by a cliff” and is of English origin.
What is the origin of the name Clifford?+
Clifford originates from English.
Is Clifford a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Clifford has trended in the US over time.
Clifford by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press