Benford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Benford has its roots in Old English, originating from the term 'Beornweard,' meaning 'bear guardian.' It has evolved through various historical forms and is associated with traits of reliability and strength. The name does not have biblical relevance but gained popularity in the 19th century as both a surname and a given name. Today, it is recognized for its traditional appeal and is linked to notable individuals.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Benford"
Pronunciation
/ˈbɛn.fərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Benford is derived from the Old English personal name 'Beornweard,' which means 'bear guardian.' It later evolved into various forms, including 'Bynford' and 'Benfurd,' before settling into the modern form.
Meaning
bear guardian
Language Evolution
Beornweard, Bynford, Benfurd, Benford
Historical Usage
The name Benford gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, primarily as a surname, and has since been used as a given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Ben, Benny, Benjie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Benford is perceived as a traditional yet approachable name, often associated with reliability and strength.
Famous People
Frank Benford, Benford's Law is named after him, which pertains to the frequency distribution of digits in numerical data.
📊 Benford Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Benford Name Visualizations
✨ Benford Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 12 peak births in 1927
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in Mississippi
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Benford"
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 "Benford"
"Benford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3199th of 7545 | 107 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3045th of 6773 | 114 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3523rd of 7552 | 99 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6085th of 10718 | 41 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Benford" by Generation for Male 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) |
- | - |
64.38% 2265th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Benford" 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 "Benford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Benford" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Benford" in the United States
The name Benford is most popular in Mississippi, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) 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, Benford has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Benford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3199th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3045th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3523rd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6085th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16616th out of 16616 names. Discover how the name 'Benford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.