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Clive

Boy name · 38 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Clive: 38 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 9 births in 1974.

Clive is a name with Old English roots, derived from *clif* meaning "cliff" or "steep slope," originally a surname for someone who lived near such a feature. Its most famous bearer is C.S. Lewis (Clive Staples Lewis), the beloved author of *The Chronicles of Narnia* and a towering figure in Christian apologetics and fantasy literature. Actor Clive Owen brought intensity to films like *Children of Men*, while critic and memoirist Clive James charmed readers with his wit. Although not heavily tied to Scottish places, the name shares its etymological root with countless English villages called Cliffe. As a variant, it's the formal version of the nickname Cliff, offering a solid, traditional alternative to the more common Clifford. It has enjoyed steady, if modest, use in Scotland since the 1970s.