Raiford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Raiford is an Old English name meaning 'raven river crossing'. It evolved from Old English through Middle English to Modern English. The name carries traits of tradition and uniqueness, with no direct biblical relevance. It became more popular in the 19th century in the US and is perceived positively today.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Raiford"
Pronunciation
/ˈreɪfərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Raiford is derived from the Old English elements 'raef' meaning 'raven' and 'ford' meaning 'river crossing'.
Meaning
Raven river crossing
Language Evolution
Old English: Raeford, Middle English: Raiford, Modern English: Raiford
Historical Usage
Raiford gained popularity in the United States during the 19th century, particularly in the southern states.
Variants & Derivatives
Rayford, Raford, Rafe
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Raiford is considered a unique name with a strong Southern association, often viewed as traditional and distinctive.
Famous People
Raiford McGowan, an American politician, Raiford Rogers, a notable figure in local historical contexts
📊 Raiford Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Raiford Name Visualizations
✨ Raiford Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 17 peak births in 1931
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in Georgia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Raiford" - Complete Guide (2 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Raiford". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 2 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Raiford" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Raiford"
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 "Raiford"
"Raiford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2597th of 7545 | 160 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2265th of 6773 | 199 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2857th of 7552 | 157 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5236th of 10718 | 60 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 12106th of 16616 | 18 |
Regional Popularity of "Raiford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
79.97% 1892nd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
71.95% 1693rd/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 "Raiford" 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 "Raiford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Raiford" 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 "Raiford" in the United States
The name Raiford is most popular in Georgia, 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, Raiford has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Raiford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2597th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2265th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2857th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5236th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 12106th out of 16616 names. Discover how the name 'Raiford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.