Love this name-- I've known one Clif in real life and found it such a fun name when first exposed to it. It's vintage, charming, familiar yet unexpected, and masculine yet soft enough to be wearable. Now if only my in-laws didn't use this name for their dog...
Clif Bar & Company, makers of the Clif Bar, LUNA Bar, Z Bar, and other energy bars and drinks marketed as "natural foods", is named for the founder's father: Clifford Erickson.
I love the name Clifford! I have a friend named Clifford whom I've known for over 10 years, and I have made many great memories with him over the years. He is kind, helpful, and smart. In 2019, he came to my house frequently, and we often play card games (mainly poker and Egyptian Ratscrew), pool (I have a pool table in my basement at home), and Super Smash Bros. He also teaches me important life skills such as being aware of my surroundings, how to calculate our bill when we eat at restaurants, and how to pay fare at the train station. There is a music professor named Clifford Stumme, who analyzes song lyrics and meanings of lyrics. To give you a sample, here is his analysis of "As It Was" by Harry Styles. I think Clifford does a superb job explaining and analyzing song lyrics. I highly recommend checking out his content. He also has a website. Both his website and his YouTube channel are called "The Pop Song Professor."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh3vdnq01e0https://www.popsongprofessor.com/I first found out about him in June 2017, when David Guetta and Justin Bieber had put out a new song that I absolutely loved: "2U", whose chorus goes: "When it comes to you, don't be blind, watch me speak from my heart when it comes to you, comes to you." I heard it on the radio when it was only a couple of days old, and I went to Genius.com because I wanted to see what it meant. Unfortunately, Genius did not provide annotations for the song. I then went to Google and searched for the meaning of the song, and that was when I found Clifford's page about this song on the Pop Song Professor website, in which he explained it well. I disagree with Clifford's final remarks that the song is not "from the heart", but other than that, it was an A+ analysis.https://www.popsongprofessor.com/blog/2017/6/9/what-does-2u-by-david-guetta-ft-justin-bieber-meanI have also, of course, checked out other analyses on Clifford's website and videos, and I can tell he is very passionate and very knowledgeable about what he talks about.
In 2018, 58 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Clifford who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 441st most common male first name for living U.S. citizens.
― Anonymous User 10/8/2018
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I think Clifford is a sweet and charming name that ages well for a young boy into a man. I love the name Cliff. However, working in education I am familiar with Clifford the Big Red Dog. I love those books and the cartoon. It wouldn't keep me from using the name, at least it's a positive association.
My name is Clifford, though I am often called "Cliff" in my professional life and by people I don't know (i.e. sales people or people who've read my name off a business card or lanyard/name plaque). However, my family and friends call me "Ford." I was named after my father's father, who was also called "Ford." So "Ford" is an acceptable diminutive form of "Clifford" and should be added to the list.As an aside, I always sign and show my full name as Clifford. To acquaintances and tangential contacts, I introduce myself as "Cliff". So, this distinction between Clifford, Cliff, and Ford has been very helpful in my life as I meet people daily and am often approached by people I don't immediately remember. The versatility of this name cues me to how I may know a person as I flip through my mental Rolodex. "Ford" from someone I don't recognize at all is usually a friend of a close friend.If I hear "Cliffie" or "Cliffmeister" I know that my Aunt Barb has come on the scene.It may not be that big of a deal for a small child, but it's useful in adulthood. Plus, the name "Ford" as a given name comes from this name, among others, and should be listed.I also know a "Clifford" who goes by "Clive" and another who goes by "Cleo".
It sounds a bit pretentious and snobby in its full form, but the nickname Cliff has a youthful, fun sound to it without being utterly immature. The name is admittedly a bit dated, though.
Now if only my in-laws didn't use this name for their dog...