clive

Clive is a masculine given name and a surname of English origin. It is commonly linked to Old English toponymy or descriptive elements referring to a slope, cliff, or bank, and has been used since medieval times. The name has been adopted in various English-speaking countries and appears in both personal names and place names.

Notable people with the name Clive include Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive, a British administrator with the East India Company who played a pivotal role in the early administration of British interests in India. The name is also associated with Clive Staples Lewis, better known as C.S. Lewis, the British writer and scholar; Clive Owen, the English actor; Clive Cussler, the American adventure novelist and underwater explorer; Clive James, the Australian critic and writer; Sir Clive Sinclair, the British inventor and electronics entrepreneur; and Clive Palmer, the Australian businessman and politician. These figures illustrate the name’s cross-disciplinary presence across history, literature, science, and entertainment.

Geographically, Clive is used as a place name in the English-speaking world, including Clive, Iowa, a city in the United States. The name’s usage in towns and communities often reflects historical land ownership, migration patterns, or commemorations of individuals bearing the name.

Today, Clive remains in use as a given name and surname in many countries, retaining its traditional English associations while appearing in contemporary contexts across culture, industry, and geography.