Holding steady.
Popularity of Raford since 1916
Babies named Raford per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 12 |
| 1920s | 40 |
| 1930s | 52 |
| 1940s | 27 |
| 1950s | 18 |
| 1960s | 16 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Raford is a rare given name that surfaced in U.S. records in 1916, with its peak usage occurring in 1935 when it was given to an estimated 1 in every 3,800 baby boys. Since then, its popularity has declined, and it has not been recorded in the Social Security Administration's top 1000 since the 1940s. The name likely originated as a variant of the English surname Radford, which itself denotes a 'red ford.' Its trajectory suggests a stable but very low-level presence, with no recent revival. While it has no strong ties to any particular U.S. state, it exemplifies the early-20th-century trend of adopting surnames as first names. Parents considering Raford today may appreciate its rarity and straightforward pronunciation.
Raford is likely a variant of the English surname Radford, which derives from a place name meaning 'red ford' (Old English 'read' + 'ford'). It may also be a modern coinage combining the popular 'Ray-' prefix with 'ford'. The name appeared sporadically in U.S. records beginning in the early 20th century, peaking during the 1930s before declining.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Radford
Sibling names for Raford
Names that share Raford's style, for a brother or sister.
