Clyfford as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Clyfford

What is the meaning of the name Clyfford ?

The baby name Clyfford is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈklɪfərd/ (KLIF-ərd).

Clyfford is English in Origin.

Clyfford is a rare, modern respelling of Clifford, an English toponymic surname derived from Old English clif “slope, cliff” + ford “river crossing,” denoting “the ford by the cliff.” The spelling with y mirrors medieval orthography and emphasizes the name’s rugged, geographic imagery while keeping the same pronunciation as Clifford.

As a given name, it follows the 19th‑century fashion of adopting surnames as first names, with peak usage in the early–mid 20th century in the United States and Britain, then declining. The famous Abstract Expressionist painter Clyfford Still (1904–1980) lends this spelling its best‑known association. Variants and short forms include Clifford, Cliff, and Clif; feminine adaptations are rare. Related but distinct names include Clifton and Radford. The de Clifford noble family of medieval England and figures like Rosamund Clifford contribute historical depth to the root form. Meaning and sentiment convey steadfastness, natural strength, and safe passage.

⚙ Clyfford is an extremely rare name. Across our dataset of national birth registries and international name records, Clyfford appears only 2 times in total — found in 2 countries. If you're considering it, you'd be giving your child a name almost nobody else has.