Holding steady.
Popularity of Benford since 1915
Babies named Benford per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1927, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Benford's real moment was 1917.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 44 |
| 1920s | 80 |
| 1930s | 53 |
| 1940s | 79 |
| 1950s | 52 |
| 1960s | 36 |
| 1970s | 17 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Benford is a rare masculine name that appeared in U.S. records briefly in the early 20th century. First recorded in 1915, it saw its highest usage in 1917, when it was given to 5 newborns per million. By the 1920s, its use declined sharply, and it has remained extremely uncommon since, with a stable trajectory near zero. Its absence from top states suggests it was never regionally concentrated. As a surname-style given name, Benford fits a category that rose in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but it never gained the traction of peers like Bentley or Bennett. Today, it is a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with a classic, understated feel.
Benford is likely a surname transferred to a given name, possibly derived from a place name or a variant of names like Benfield or Benz. It appeared briefly in the early 20th century, with recorded usage from 1915 to the 1920s, but has since fallen out of common use.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ben
Variants: Benford
Sibling names for Benford
Names that share Benford's style, for a brother or sister.
