Bedford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Bedford has its origins in Old English, combining elements that refer to a river crossing near a bedding area. It has evolved through various historical forms and is commonly associated with a sense of tradition and stability. There is no biblical relevance linked to the name. Bedford became popular as a place name during the Middle Ages and continues to be recognized today, often linked to notable figures.
The name Bedford is most popular in Tennessee, 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. From 2020-2022, Bedford has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Bedford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1340th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1542nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2406th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4950th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 11776th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 20190th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Bedford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Bedford"
Pronunciation
/ˈbɛdfərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Bedford is derived from the Old English elements 'bed' meaning 'bed' or 'bedding' and 'ford' meaning 'river crossing'. It refers to a ford near a river in a region that was likely characterized by marshy ground.
Meaning
river crossing by a riverbed
Language Evolution
Bædford, Bedforda, Bedford
Historical Usage
Bedford gained popularity as a place name in England during the Middle Ages, particularly due to the establishment of the town in the 10th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Bed, Beddy, Bedders
Modern Popularity & Image
The name Bedford is often associated with a sense of tradition and historical significance, particularly in the UK. It evokes images of quaint towns and rich cultural heritage.
Famous People
John Bedford Lloyd (actor), Bedford Forrest (Confederate cavalry leader), Bedford Brown (politician)
Explore More Bedford Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Bedford"
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 "Bedford"
"Bedford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1340th of 7545 | 470 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1542nd of 6773 | 376 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2406th of 7552 | 218 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4950th of 10718 | 68 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 11776th of 16616 | 20 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 20190th of 23106 | 10 |
Regional Popularity of "Bedford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
54.35% 1286th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
52.44% 1234th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
70.66% 2016th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Bedford" 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 "Bedford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Bedford" 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.