Declining since 2021, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Oxford since 2013
Babies named Oxford per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2010s | 55 |
| 2020s | 53 |
Meaning & origin
Oxford is a modern place-name adoption, entering U.S. birth records in 2013, a year when the name first appeared. Its peak came relatively quickly, in 2020, after which it has been on a falling trajectory since 2021. Currently (2025), Oxford ranks 12,008th, with a frequency of about 1 in 341,615 births. The name carries strong academic associations, likely influencing its appeal, though it remains rare. As of 2025, no single state has recorded significant usage, with occurrences scattered across the country. Oxford fits a pattern of surname-style names that have gained modest traction in recent decades, but it has not yet achieved widespread adoption.
Oxford is a place name derived from Old English 'oxna' (genitive plural of 'oxa', meaning ox) and 'ford' (a shallow crossing point). The name originally referred to a ford where oxen crossed the River Thames. As a given name, it is a modern, uncommon usage, inspired by the prestigious university city.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ox
Sibling names for Oxford
Names that share Oxford's style, for a brother or sister.
