Cleveland \c-levela-nd, cl(e)-ve-land\ as a boy's name is pronounced KLEEV-land. It is of Old English origin, and the meaning of Cleveland is "land of cliffs, hilly area". Place name. Several towns were named after American President Grover Cleveland. Writer Cleveland Amory. Cleveland has 6 variant forms: Cleavon, Cleaveland, Cleavland, Cleon, Cleve and Clevon. For more information, see also the related name Cleavant. View a list of the 4 names that reference Cleveland.