Gilford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Gilford has Old English origins, meaning 'river crossing.' It evolved from Gildford in Old English to its modern form. The name reflects a historical significance related to trade routes and settlements. It is not linked to the Bible but has been used since medieval times, gaining some popularity in the 19th century. It has variants such as Gildford and Gifford, and while it is not commonly used today, it carries a timeless appeal.
The name Gilford is most popular in Oklahoma, 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, Gilford has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Gilford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1471st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1601st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1927th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4091st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 12106th out of 16616 names. Discover how the name 'Gilford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gilford"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɪlfərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Gilford is derived from the Old English elements 'gild,' meaning 'sacrifice' or 'payment,' and 'ford,' meaning 'river crossing' or 'ford.' It generally refers to a settlement by a river crossing used for trade or travel.
Meaning
river crossing
Language Evolution
Gildford (Old English), Gilford (Middle English), Gilford (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Gilford has been used as a surname and place name in England since the medieval period. It gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Gildford, Gifford, Gil
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Gilford is not widely used as a first name, but it retains a classic and distinguished image. It is more commonly recognized as a surname or place name.
Famous People
Gilford, New Hampshire (place name), Gilford, a surname associated with various notable figures
Explore More Gilford Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gilford"
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 "Gilford"
"Gilford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1471st of 7545 | 397 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1601st of 6773 | 353 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1927th of 7552 | 324 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4091st of 10718 | 103 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 12106th of 16616 | 18 |
Regional Popularity of "Gilford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
70.25% 1662nd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
85.68% 2016th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
74.55% 2127th/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 "Gilford" 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 "Gilford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gilford" 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.