Cleveland

Meaning of Cleveland

Cleveland, pronounced KLEE-vlənd, is a masculine name with English toponymic origins, derived from the Old English elements clif (“cliff, slope”) and land, meaning “hilly region.” Initially a surname in northern England, it achieved prominence through President Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, and the industrial city founded by Moses Cleaveland in 1796. In the United States its popularity peaked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has since declined to approximately the 900th rank, with fewer than two dozen newborn boys given the name in 2024. The name carries associations of civic leadership and industrial heritage, resonating within Latino communities—where la Ciudad del Rock and Roll añade un matiz de perseverancia cultural—while maintaining a straightforward quality. For parents seeking a surname-style choice with historical depth and transatlantic appeal, Cleveland offers a distinctive, grounded option.

Pronunciation

American English

• Pronunced as KLEE-vlənd (/kliːvlənd/)

• Cleve
• Cleavon
• Clever
• Cleven
• Clevon