Alford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Alford originates from Old English, meaning 'elf river crossing.' It has evolved through various forms, maintaining its association with nature and mythology. The name is linked to traditions and carries a historical resonance, though it does not have biblical ties.
The name Alford is most popular in Mississippi, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Alford has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Alford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 677th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 713th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 994th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1837th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 4003rd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 13873rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 20190th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Discover how the name 'Alford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Alford"
Pronunciation
/ˈæl.fərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Alford is derived from the Old English elements 'aelf,' meaning 'elf,' and 'ford,' meaning 'river crossing.' It refers to a river crossing associated with elves or spirits.
Meaning
Elf river crossing
Language Evolution
Aelford, Alford
Historical Usage
The name Alford has been used since the Middle Ages and became more common in England, particularly as surnames were adopted in the 13th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Alfie, Alf
Modern Popularity & Image
Alford is considered a traditional name, and while not extremely common today, it carries a sense of heritage and historical significance.
Famous People
Alford T. R. Smith, American politician, Alford E. D. Johnson, African American artist
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Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Alford"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Alford"
"Alford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 677th of 7545 | 1,397 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 713th of 6773 | 1,390 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 994th of 7552 | 1,077 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1837th of 10718 | 388 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 4003rd of 16616 | 201 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 13873rd of 24088 | 39 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 20190th of 23106 | 10 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Alford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
83.05% 1176th/1416 |
- |
22.27% 527th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
65.59% 1014th/1546 |
- |
22.40% 527th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
61.11% 1361st/2227 |
- |
27.51% 785th/2853 |
50.20% 1393rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - |
47.36% 1666th/3518 |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
64.02% 3325th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Alford" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Alford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Alford" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.