Heathcliff is a name of English origin and is derived from the Old English words "heath" meaning "heathland" and "cliff" meaning "hill." The name was originally used to describe a person who lived near a heathland with hills.
In literature, the name Heathcliff is most famously associated with the protagonist of Emily Bronte's novel "Wuthering Heights." The character is depicted as a brooding, passionate, and complex individual, and his intense love story with Catherine Earnshaw is a central theme of the novel.
The name Heathcliff has become synonymous with a dark, mysterious, and brooding personality, and it has been used in several other works of fiction since the publication of "Wuthering Heights."
Overall, the name Heathcliff conveys a strong and individualistic personality, often associated with the wild and untamed landscapes of the moors. It remains a popular name choice for parents looking to pay homage to the classic novel, or simply seeking a unique and memorable name for their child.