Rutherford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Rutherford is of Old English origin, meaning 'cattle crossing,' derived from the elements related to livestock and river crossings. The name has evolved through historical forms like Hryðerford and Rutherforð, maintaining its roots in English culture. It is not directly related to biblical texts. The name gained popularity in medieval England and later in Scotland. Today, it carries a strong, traditional image, associated with notable figures in science and politics.
The name Rutherford is most popular in Kentucky, 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, Rutherford has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Rutherford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1825th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2612th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3388th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6381st out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 15172nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 20994th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 9975th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Rutherford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Rutherford"
Pronunciation
/ˈrʌðərfərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Rutherford comes from the Old English elements 'hryðer,' meaning 'cattle' or 'sheep,' and 'ford,' meaning 'river crossing' or 'ford.' Thus, it implies a crossing by a river where cattle were gathered.
Meaning
Cattle crossing
Language Evolution
Hryðerford, Rutherforð, Rutherford
Historical Usage
Rutherford gained popularity as a surname in the medieval period in England and later became recognized as a given name, especially in Scotland.
Variants & Derivatives
Ruther, Ruth, Rudy
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Rutherford is perceived as a strong, traditional name with historical significance, often associated with intellectual and scientific achievements due to notable figures bearing the name.
Famous People
Ernest Rutherford, a renowned physicist known as the father of nuclear physics., Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States.
📊 Rutherford Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Rutherford Name Visualizations
✨ Rutherford Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 25 peak births in 1921
Geographic Spread
Popular across 3 US states, with strongest presence in Kentucky
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 "Rutherford"
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 "Rutherford"
"Rutherford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1825th of 7545 | 290 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2612th of 6773 | 157 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3388th of 7552 | 109 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 6381st of 10718 | 36 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15172nd of 16616 | 7 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 20994th of 24088 | 10 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 9975th of 23106 | 75 |
Regional Popularity of "Rutherford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
77.22% 1827th/2366 |
- |
| 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Rutherford" 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 "Rutherford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Rutherford" 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.