All about the name

Cleve

Female

« Cleve is a rare English male given name derived from the Old English word 'clif', meaning cliff or slope. »

#43078 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Cleve is a unique and uncommon male given name of English origin. The name Cleve is derived from the Old English word 'clif,' which means cliff or slope. It is also associated with the place name 'Cliffe' in England, where there was once a prominent cliff or slope. The name Cleve has been used throughout history, although it is not particularly common. One notable figure bearing this name is American politician and lawyer, William C. Cleave (1830-1907), who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate from 1862 to 1865. In literature, the name Cleve can be found in works such as 'The Sun Also Rises' by Ernest Hemingway, where one of the characters is named Cohn, short for Cleve. However, it's important to note that there isn't a significant amount of literature associated with this name due to its rarity. Today, Cleve remains an uncommon name, but it may appeal to those who appreciate unique and historic monikers with a clear meaning behind them. Its association with the word 'cliff' gives it a strong and steadfast connotation, which could be appealing to parents looking for a name with a powerful meaning.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Cleve since 1880

Total births
23
Total since 1880
Peak year
1918
6 births
in 1930
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years