Welford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Welford is an Old English name meaning 'river crossing by the spring'. It has evolved through various forms in the English language. The name is linked to rural English heritage and has been used historically since medieval times. It does not have biblical relevance, and today it is viewed as traditional and unique.
The name Welford is most popular in Virginia, 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, Welford has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Welford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2494th 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 3204th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 9847th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16616th out of 16616 names. Discover how the name 'Welford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Welford"
Pronunciation
/ˈwɛlfərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Welford is derived from the Old English elements 'wella' meaning 'spring' or 'stream' and 'ford' meaning 'river crossing'. It originally referred to a river crossing near a spring.
Meaning
river crossing by the spring
Language Evolution
Welford (Modern English), Welforda (Old English), Welford (Middle English)
Historical Usage
Welford has been used as a place name and surname in England since at least the medieval period, gaining popularity in certain regions due to local settlements.
Variants & Derivatives
Welforde, Welfordson, Welfordian
Modern Popularity & Image
Welford is perceived as a traditional and somewhat uncommon name, often associated with rural English heritage and picturesque landscapes.
Famous People
Welford Beaton, an English politician, Welford R. Thornton, an American educator
Explore More Welford Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Welford"
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 "Welford"
"Welford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2494th of 7545 | 171 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2445th of 6773 | 177 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3204th of 7552 | 127 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 9847th of 10718 | 7 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Welford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
50.13% 1186th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
53.51% 1259th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
54.33% 1550th/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 "Welford" 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 "Welford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Welford" 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.