Cleve
A male given name, found predominantly in the United States.
Every Cleve since 1882 — 4,529 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Cleve
Cleve is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1882, 4,529 American babies have been named Cleve. Its peak came in 1951, when 83 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Cleve stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Cleve year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | 5 | #12,492 |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | 5 | #12,596 |
| 2009 | — | — | 9 | #8,422 |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | 8 | #9,059 |
| 2006 | — | — | 5 | #12,379 |
| 2005 | — | — | 5 | #11,761 |
| 2004 | — | — | 5 | #11,679 |
| 2003 | — | — | 5 | #11,194 |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | 7 | #8,343 |
| 1995 | — | — | 8 | #6,491 |
| 1990 | — | — | 13 | #4,207 |
| 1985 | — | — | 16 | #2,967 |
| 1980 | — | — | 34 | #1,700 |
| 1975 | — | — | 21 | #2,145 |
| 1970 | — | — | 34 | #1,441 |
| 1965 | — | — | 34 | #1,319 |
| 1960 | — | — | 47 | #1,139 |
| 1955 | — | — | 67 | #909 |
| 1950 | — | — | 64 | #853 |
| 1945 | — | — | 45 | #961 |
| 1940 | — | — | 39 | #1,033 |
| 1935 | — | — | 50 | #895 |
| 1930 | 5 | #4,676 | 47 | #992 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4,532 | 50 | #958 |
| 1920 | — | — | 65 | #837 |
| 1915 | — | — | 62 | #762 |
| 1910 | — | — | 30 | #513 |
| 1905 | — | — | 16 | #597 |
| 1900 | — | — | 16 | #629 |
| 1895 | — | — | 16 | #507 |
| 1890 | — | — | 18 | #426 |
| 1885 | — | — | 69 | #191 |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Cleve
- Cleve Moler Mathematician · b. 1939
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cleve mean?
A male given name, found predominantly in the United States.
How popular is the name Cleve in 2025?
Cleve did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Cleve?
4,529 babies have been named Cleve in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Cleve most popular?
Cleve peaked in 1951, when 83 newborns received the name.
Is Cleve a boy or girl name?
Cleve is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Cleve rising or falling?
Cleve is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Cleve?
Well-known people named Cleve include Cleve Moler (mathematician).