Guilford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Guilford is an Old English name meaning 'river crossing', derived from the words 'gyll' and 'ford'. It has evolved through historical forms such as Guildeford to its modern representation. The name is linked to various places in England, reflecting a rich cultural heritage, and has no biblical significance. Notable figures with this name include Guilford Dudley and Guilford of Dunstable.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Guilford"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɪl.fərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Guilford is derived from the Old English elements 'gyll' meaning 'a stream' and 'ford' meaning 'a crossing' or 'river crossing'. It refers to a settlement near a river crossing.
Meaning
river crossing
Language Evolution
Guildeford, Guilford
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity as a place name in medieval England, and it is associated with various locations across England, particularly in Surrey.
Variants & Derivatives
Guilford, Guilfurd, Guilfard
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Guilford is recognized as a traditional English name with historical significance, often associated with quaint English towns and a sense of heritage.
Famous People
Guilford Dudley, Guilford of Dunstable
📊 Guilford Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Guilford Name Visualizations
✨ Guilford Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 22 peak births in 1923
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in North Carolina
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Guilford"
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 "Guilford"
"Guilford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1893rd of 7545 | 275 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2445th of 6773 | 177 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3402nd of 7552 | 108 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8221st of 10718 | 16 |
Regional Popularity of "Guilford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
95.07% 2237th/2353 |
- |
| 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Guilford" 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 "Guilford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Guilford" 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 "Guilford" in the United States
The name Guilford is most popular in North Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent 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, Guilford has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Guilford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1893rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2445th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3402nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8221st out of 10718 names. Discover how the name 'Guilford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.