A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Woodford since 1911
Babies named Woodford per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 164 |
| 1920s | 161 |
| 1930s | 81 |
| 1940s | 100 |
| 1950s | 37 |
| 1960s | 15 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 20 |
Meaning & origin
Woodford is an English surname-turned-first name that enjoyed a brief period of use in the early 20th century. It first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1911 and reached its peak popularity in 1916, a reflection of the era's preference for place-derived and surname-style names. After declining for decades, it has shown a slight upward trend since 2020, though it remains extremely rare, with only about 1 in 213,510 boys receiving the name in 2025. The name's straightforward meaning and connection to nature may appeal to parents seeking an uncommon yet traditional-sounding choice, and its revival potential is noted in the 1910s decade category.
Woodford is an English surname and place name derived from Old English 'wudu' meaning 'wood' and 'ford' meaning 'ford'. It originally referred to a person who lived near a ford in a wooded area. As a given name, it saw modest use in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States, following the fashion for surname-derived first names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Woody, Ford
Sibling names for Woodford
Names that share Woodford's style, for a brother or sister.
