Holding steady.
Popularity of Gifford since 1891
Babies named Gifford per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gifford's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 19 |
| 1900s | 21 |
| 1910s | 196 |
| 1920s | 281 |
| 1930s | 194 |
| 1940s | 186 |
| 1950s | 190 |
| 1960s | 144 |
| 1970s | 98 |
| 1980s | 80 |
| 1990s | 27 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 16 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Gifford is a rare English given name that began as a surname. First recorded in U.S. data in 1891, it reached its peak year in 1898 during a brief period of use, then declined steeply and has remained stable at low numbers ever since. The trajectory suggests it never achieved widespread popularity, and its lack of top states data reflects its scarcity. For parents drawn to obscure Victorian revival names, Gifford offers a distinguished sound with an authentic English etymology, but it remains a choice that will stand out, not blend in.
Gifford is a surname transferred to first name use, derived from a place name in England. It comes from Old English 'gifre' (greedy, eager) or possibly 'gorst' (gorse) combined with 'ford' (ford), referring to a river crossing. The name has been used as a given name since the 19th century, primarily in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Giff, Ford
Sibling names for Gifford
Names that share Gifford's style, for a brother or sister.
