How Many People Are Named Clifton?

Complete statistics for the name Clifton: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.

Clifton
Rare
Old English

Clifton means 'cliff town' and has a rare charm, with only 1 in 8,830 Americans bearing this name. There are 37,371 people named Clifton living today, making it a unique choice. The majority, 67%, are over 60, giving it an older-generation feel.

~23,350
Living in US
1 in 14,195
Americans
1975
Peak Year

📖 Meaning & Origin

💬
Meaning
Cliff town
🌐
Origin
Old English
🔢
Numerology
Life Path 7
Personality Traits
Dignified Reliable
7
Life Path Number

Life-path number 7 symbolizes introspection, spiritual growth, and a quest for knowledge.

🌍 Worldwide Usage

37,371
Worldwide Bearers
#13,235
Global Rank
🇵🇭 Philippines
416
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
330
🇮🇳 India
277
🇳🇱 Netherlands
225
🇭🇹 Haiti
167
🇲🇹 Malta
142
🇧🇷 Brazil
132
🇳🇿 New Zealand
126
🇫🇯 Fiji
115
🇦🇺 Australia
105

⚥ Gender Distribution

♂ Male
37,156 (99%)
♀ Female
216 (1%)

📊 Births by Age Group

Avg Cohort Age: 73
3,898
Would be under 30 (6%)
19,314
Would be 30–60 (27%)
47,350
Would be over 60 (67%)

All 70,562 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).

📈 Popularity Over Time

Peak: 1975

Annual US births from SSA records  ·  Trend: Slowly declining

🏆 Name Scorecard

Popularity
99
Classic Feel
63
Modern Appeal
37
International
5

Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency

📜 Clifton Through the Generations

Clifton peaked in popularity in 1975 with 1,224 births, reflecting a generation now averaging 73 years old. Today, 3,898 Cliftons are under 30, while 19,314 are between 30 and 60, showing a slow decline from its heyday. This name's current trend suggests it's a classic with modern appeal, balancing tradition and novelty.

📍 State Distribution (Top 10)

Texas 7,037
North Carolina 5,766
Louisiana 3,939
Mississippi 3,928
Virginia 3,717
California 2,619
Alabama 2,414
New York 2,382
South Carolina 2,239
Tennessee 2,181

⭐ Famous People Named Clifton

Clifton is a given name. Notable people with the name include:Clifton Abraham, American and Canadian football player Clifton Bailey, Jamaican reggae musician, better known as Capleton Clifton Bloomfield, American serial killer Clifton R. Breckinridge (1846–1932), American politician Clifton Campbell, American sprinter Clifton Bush, American professional basketball player Clifton B. Cates (1893–1970), United States Marine Corps four-star general Clifton Chenier (1925–1987), American zydeco musician Clifton Collins Jr., American actor Clifton Daniel (1912–2000), American newspaperman Clifton Dan…

Full list on Wikipedia →

✨ Similar Names to Clifton

🌿 Related Names by Origin

Other names sharing Clifton's Old English roots

📄 About the Name Clifton

How Many People Have the Name Clifton?

Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 23,350 people in the United States currently share the name Clifton. That works out to roughly 1 in every 14,195 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.

Is Clifton a Common or Rare Name?

Clifton is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.

What Does the Name Clifton Mean?

Clifton means "cliff town" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.

Gender Breakdown

Of all recorded bearers of Clifton in SSA data, approximately 99% are male and 1% are female.

When Was Clifton Most Popular?

The name Clifton reached peak popularity in 1975, with 1,224 babies registered that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.

How Is This Data Calculated?

All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are named Clifton?

Approximately 23,350 people named Clifton live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 23,350. That works out to roughly 1 in 14,195 Americans.

Is Clifton a rare name?

Clifton is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 14,195 Americans has this name.

What does the name Clifton mean?

Clifton means "cliff town" and comes from Old English origins.

Is Clifton more male or female?

Based on SSA records, 99% of people named Clifton are male and 1% are female.

When was Clifton most popular?

Clifton peaked in 1975 with 1,224 births that year. Current trend: Slowly declining.

How accurate are these statistics?

All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.

Disclaimer: All results are statistical estimates based on aggregated SSA birth records and modeling. Not exact counts of individuals. Data source: SSA National Baby Names dataset.
Quick Stats
Living in US23,350
All-Time Births23,350
1 in X1 in 14,195
RarityRare
GenderMale
Avg Age73
Peak Year1975
World Rank#13,235
Male %99%
Female %1%

Check the statistics for any first or last name

Search Names
Data Source

Powered by the SSA National Baby Names dataset, birth registrations from 1880 to present.

All counts are statistical estimates. See the methodology page.