Radford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Radford is an Old English name meaning 'river crossing of counsel.' It has evolved through various forms and retains a historical significance. The name is not biblically rooted but has gained popularity over time as both a surname and a given name. Today, it is viewed as a classic name with a strong historical association, and notable individuals have borne the name.
The name Radford is most popular in Hawaii, 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, Radford has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Radford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1911th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1872nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1966th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3226th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7112th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 19652nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 10247th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Radford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Radford"
Pronunciation
/ˈrædfərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Radford derives from the Old English elements 'ræd,' meaning 'counsel' or 'advice,' and 'ford,' meaning 'river crossing' or 'ford.' Therefore, it can be interpreted as 'river crossing of counsel.'
Meaning
river crossing of counsel
Language Evolution
Radford, Redford, Ratford
Historical Usage
Radford has been used as a surname and place name in England since the medieval period. It gained popularity in the 19th century as a given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Rad, Raddie, Radd
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Radford is perceived as a traditional name with a strong historical background. It is not overly common but maintains a classic appeal.
Famous People
Radford Semple, an English architect, Radford M. Williams, an American politician
📊 Radford Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Radford Name Visualizations
✨ Radford Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 26 peak births in 1935
Geographic Spread
Popular across 6 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Radford"
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 "Radford"
"Radford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1911th of 7545 | 271 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1872nd of 6773 | 275 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1966th of 7552 | 313 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3226th of 10718 | 161 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7112th of 16616 | 75 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 19652nd of 24088 | 12 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 10247th of 23106 | 71 |
Regional Popularity of "Radford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
69.40% 1642nd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
95.07% 2237th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
70.66% 2016th/2853 |
60.61% 1682nd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - |
60.78% 2458th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Radford" 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 "Radford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Radford" 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.