"cliff settlement"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Clifton
Pronunciation: [ kl-IHFT-uhn ]
Does Clifton flow with your last name?
A cliff-strong English name with solid heritage
English
American
Traditional
Classic
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Clifton
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Clifton
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"town near the cliff"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Clifton
See all →What the Clifton report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Clifton the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Clifton
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Clifton head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Clifton actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Clifton
Clifton is an English place name and surname derived from Old English, meaning settlement by the cliff. It combines clif (cliff or steep rocky slope) with tun (settlement or town). The name has been used in England since the Norman era as a surname and became a given name in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Clifton was most popular in the United States from the 1920s through the 1960s, when it fit the era's taste for strong, geographic-origin surnames as first names. It has since declined but retains an old-school dignity.
Clifton is a place name found throughout England, most famously Clifton in Bristol, which is known for the Clifton Suspension Bridge. In America, the name carries an early-20th-century patrician quality.
Historical Record
Clifton first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 37,855 babies have been named Clifton in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Clifton is past its peak , currently ranked #1,756 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, England, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, is one of Britain's most iconic structures
- Clifton Chenier was the King of Zydeco, the influential Louisiana Creole musician
- Clifton Davis is an American actor and gospel singer
Clifton in Other Languages
French
Clifton
German
Clifton
English
Clifton
Spanish
Clifton
Popularity Over Time
#1,756
Current Rank
Peaked 1975
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Clifton
C
Clifton Chenier
Musician
1925
American musician known as the King of Zydeco, who popularized Creole music
C
Clifton James
Actor
1920
American character actor known for his role as Sheriff Pepper in James Bond films
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Raylen
Boy
"wise protector from the valley"
#1,808
Richie
Boy
"powerful and brave"
#1,791
Percival
Boy
"hard spear (from Welsh Peredur)"
#1,765
Craig
Boy
"rocky cliff, crag"
#1,840
Clinton
Boy
"hilltop estate"
#1,935
Compare Clifton with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,756
- Total SSA Count
- 94
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Cliff
Clift
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Clifton
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Clifton fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Clifton is also used as a girl name, ranked #17241.
View Clifton as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Clifton →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Clifton with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Clifton
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Clifton and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Clifton sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Raylen
Boy
Germanic/English origin
"wise protector from the valley"
#1,808 in US
Richie
Boy
Germanic origin
"powerful and brave"
#1,791 in US
Percival
Boy
Welsh origin
"hard spear (from Welsh Peredur)"
#1,765 in US
Craig
Boy
Scottish Gaelic (creag) origin
"rocky cliff, crag"
#1,840 in US
Clinton
Boy
Old English origin
"hilltop estate"
#1,935 in US
Kain
Boy
Hebrew origin
"spear"
#1,583 in US
Pharaoh
Boy
Egyptian via Hebrew origin
"supreme ruler"
#1,760 in US
Sylvan
Boy
Latin origin
"wild, untamed nature"
#1,905 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Clifton's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clifton
What does the name Clifton mean?
"cliff settlement" (from Old English). "town near the cliff" (from Anglo-Saxon). Clifton is an English place name and surname derived from Old English, meaning settlement by the cliff. It combines clif (cliff or steep rocky slope) with tun (settlement or town). The name has been used in England since the Norman era as a surname and became a given name in the 19th and 20th centuries.
What is the origin of the name Clifton?
Clifton has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "cliff settlement". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "town near the cliff".
Is Clifton a boy or girl name?
Clifton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1756. As a girl name, it is ranked #17241. Clifton is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Clifton?
Clifton is pronounced kl-IHFT-uhn.
How popular is the name Clifton?
Clifton is currently ranked #1756 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Clifton?
Common nicknames for Clifton include Cliff and Clift.
What are good middle names for Clifton?
Popular middle name pairings include Clifton James, Clifton Earl, Clifton Lee, Clifton Ray, Clifton Wayne, and Clifton Douglas.
What are good sibling names for Clifton?
Names that pair well with Clifton as siblings include Randolph, Wendell, Gloria, Shirley, Douglas, and Eugene.
How many syllables does Clifton have?
Clifton has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Clifton a common or rare name?
Clifton is an uncommon name, ranked #1756 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Clifton?
About the Name Clifton
Clifton is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "cliff settlement" in Old English .
Is Clifton a boy or girl name? Clifton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,756 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,241. Clifton is more commonly used as a boy name.
Clifton is currently ranked #1,756 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Clifton has 2 syllables and is pronounced kl-IHFT-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Clifton include Cliff and Clift. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Clifton include Clifford, Cliff . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
C
Names Starting with C
More boy names like Clifton
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis