Declining since 1985, #3,513 for boys today.
Popularity of Bradford since 1880
Babies named Bradford per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 20 |
| 1890s | 59 |
| 1900s | 86 |
| 1910s | 513 |
| 1920s | 818 |
| 1930s | 998 |
| 1940s | 2,418 |
| 1950s | 6,693 |
| 1960s | 5,794 |
| 1970s | 5,710 |
| 1980s | 4,745 |
| 1990s | 2,292 |
| 2000s | 976 |
| 2010s | 689 |
| 2020s | 264 |
Meaning & origin
Bradford entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1880, when records first note its use. It reached its highest point of popularity in 1953, reflecting the mid-century taste for surname-style first names that sounded sturdy and professional. Since 1985, its frequency has been steadily declining, and in 2024 it ranked 3,513th with just 1 in 53,377 newborn boys receiving the name. The journey from a place name meaning 'broad ford' to a personal name mirrors a broader American trend of adopting English surnames, particularly those with a clear, solid sound. While its usage has waned, Bradford retains a quiet, enduring identity, never having entirely vanished from the charts.
Bradford is an English surname and place name derived from Old English 'brad' (broad) and 'ford' (ford), meaning a wide river crossing. It originated as a locational name for someone who lived near such a ford. As a given name, it became used in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, influenced by surnames as first names.
Where Bradford is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Brad
Sibling names for Bradford
Names that share Bradford's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Bradford
Names whose popularity has moved with Bradford's over the last 50 years.
