Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Rayford since 1896
Babies named Rayford per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 8 |
| 1900s | 48 |
| 1910s | 360 |
| 1920s | 841 |
| 1930s | 923 |
| 1940s | 948 |
| 1950s | 892 |
| 1960s | 641 |
| 1970s | 348 |
| 1980s | 248 |
| 1990s | 131 |
| 2000s | 76 |
| 2010s | 35 |
| 2020s | 17 |
Meaning & origin
Rayford is a rare masculine given name that saw its greatest popularity in the early 20th century. The name peaked in 1937, and since then its usage has declined sharply, remaining very uncommon today. In 2025, it ranked 12,008th and was given to approximately 1 in 341,615 boys. Its first recorded use in U.S. data was in 1896. Rayford is generally considered a transferred use of an English surname, possibly locational or ornamental. The name evokes a vintage, rural feel, consistent with mid-century naming trends.
Rayford likely originated as a transferred use of an English surname. The surname Rayford may be locational, referring to a ford where rye is grown (from Old English 'ryge' meaning 'rye' and 'ford' meaning 'ford'), or a habitational name from an unidentified place. Alternatively, it could be an ornamental elaboration of the given name Ray with the suffix -ford. As a given name, it saw most use in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States.
Where Rayford 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: Ray
Sibling names for Rayford
Names that share Rayford's style, for a brother or sister.
