Find out how popular the first name Cleveland has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cleveland by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Cleveland is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Cleveland being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 11 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Cleveland.

The history of the first name Cleveland

The given name Cleveland is an English name derived from the Old English words "clif" meaning cliff and "land" meaning land or estate. It was originally a place name referring to a location situated on or near a cliff. The name likely emerged during the Anglo-Saxon period in England, between the 5th and 11th centuries.

Cleveland does not appear to have any direct references in ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, it was likely used as a surname or a place name in medieval England, particularly in areas with cliffs or hilly terrain.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Cleveland was Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. He was born in 1837 and served as president from 1885 to 1889 and again from 1893 to 1897. His name was originally Stephen Grover Cleveland, but he later dropped the Stephen.

Another notable individual with the name Cleveland was Milton Cleveland, an American composer and music educator born in 1905. He is known for his contributions to the field of music education and his work in promoting music education in public schools.

In literature, Cleveland Amory was an American author, journalist, and animal rights activist born in 1917. He is best known for his books on animal welfare and his work in promoting animal rights.

Cleveland Sellers was an American civil rights activist born in 1944. He was a prominent figure in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and participated in the Orangeburg Massacre in 1968, where he was one of the protesters injured.

Cleveland Abbe, born in 1838, was an American meteorologist and the founder of the National Weather Service. He is credited with establishing the first modern weather forecasting service in the United States.

While the name Cleveland has been used throughout history, it does not appear to have any direct connections to ancient texts or religious scriptures. Its origins can be traced back to Old English and its use as a place name in medieval England.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cleveland was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cleveland, please contact us.

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