Clive \c-li-ve\ as a boy's name is pronounced kleeve, klyve. It is of Old English origin, and the meaning of Clive is "cliff, slope". Surname and place name. Robert Clive was a famous English soldier known for his exploits in India. Thackeray used it as a first name in an 1855 novel. Critic Clive Barnes; author Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis.
Clive has 3 variant forms: Cleavon, Cleve and Clyve.
For more information, see also the related name Cliff.