Holding steady.
Popularity of Melford since 1904
Babies named Melford per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Melford's real moment was 1904.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 17 |
| 1910s | 173 |
| 1920s | 334 |
| 1930s | 226 |
| 1940s | 184 |
| 1950s | 135 |
| 1960s | 53 |
| 1970s | 46 |
| 1980s | 7 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Melford is a name that emerged in the early 20th century, first recorded in the United States in 1904, but it never achieved notable popularity. Its peak year was also 1904, the same year it first appeared, indicating a very brief and minimal usage. The name has maintained a stable trajectory over time, with no recorded upswing or decline because it has always been exceedingly rare. As a transferred surname from English place names, Melford carries a locational heritage, but it has not sustained enough usage to develop a strong identity as a given name. No top states or notable associations have emerged for this name, making it a truly unique choice.
Melford is an English surname that originated as a habitational name from one of various places named Melford, such as Long Melford in Suffolk. The place name derives from Old English 'mylde' (gentle) or 'melde' (mildew) and 'ford' (ford), but the precise meaning is uncertain. Its use as a given name emerged in the early 20th century, though it never gained widespread popularity.
Sibling names for Melford
Names that share Melford's style, for a brother or sister.
