Clifton is a unique and distinctive English given name that has gained popularity in recent years. Its origin can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when it was originally used as a surname.
The name Clifton is derived from an Old English word "clif" which means "hillside" or "slope," combined with the suffix "-ton" meaning "settlement." Therefore, the literal translation of Clifton is "settlement on a hillside."
Historically, Clifton was primarily used as a surname in England. However, it started to be used as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Clifton is considered a unisex name but is more commonly used for boys.
Some notable people with the first name Clifton include Clifton Davis, an American actor and singer, Clifton Collins Jr., an American actor, and Clifton Wharton Sr., the first African-American ambassador to Germany. These individuals have contributed to the popularity and recognition of the name Clifton in various fields.
These statistics show a fluctuating trend in the number of births named Clifton over time. The peak years were during World War I (1914-1918), with the highest being 934 births in 1918, likely due to delayed registrations or other war-related factors. Post-war, the numbers dropped significantly and have generally declined since, with a notable dip starting around the late 1960s. The most recent data shows a consistent low number of Clifton births per year, with only 78 births recorded in 2022.