Woodford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Woodford is an Old English name meaning 'river crossing by the woods', derived from the elements 'wudu' and 'ford'. It has evolved through various historical forms and is associated with rustic imagery. There is no biblical relevance to the name, but it has been a popular surname since the medieval era. Variants of Woodford include Woodforde and Woodsford, and it is viewed positively in modern contexts, often linked to nature.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Woodford"
Pronunciation
/ˈwʊdfərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Woodford is derived from the Old English elements 'wudu' meaning 'wood' and 'ford' meaning 'river crossing' or 'ford'. It originally referred to a river crossing near a wood or forested area.
Meaning
river crossing by the woods
Language Evolution
Old English: Wuduford, Middle English: Wodeford, Modern English: Woodford
Historical Usage
The name Woodford gained popularity as a surname in England during the medieval period and has been used as a place name in various locations.
Variants & Derivatives
Woodforde, Woodforde, Woodsford
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Woodford is perceived as a traditional and rustic name, often associated with nature and picturesque landscapes.
Famous People
George Woodford, an English cricketer, Thomas Woodford, an English politician
📊 Woodford Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Woodford Name Visualizations
✨ Woodford Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 28 peak births in 1916
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in Kentucky
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Woodford"
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 "Woodford"
"Woodford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1804th of 7545 | 294 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2458th of 6773 | 175 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3750th of 7552 | 84 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10718th of 10718 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 18910th of 23106 | 12 |
Regional Popularity of "Woodford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
44.00% 1041st/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
60.86% 1432nd/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
77.71% 2217th/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 "Woodford" 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 "Woodford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Woodford" 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 "Woodford" in the United States
The name Woodford 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, Woodford has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Woodford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1804th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2458th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3750th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10718th out of 10718 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 18910th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Woodford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.