Wilford
Meaningwillow ford · English
- US rank
- #8,243
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #328 in 1911
9 babies were named Wilford in the US in 2025. It has climbed 1,311 places in five years.
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US births per million boys, 1880–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Wilford you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 188,679 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Wilford, 9 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Wilford would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryWilford has been in use since at least 1880, the first year US birth records were kept. That's 145 years of Wilfords, and counting.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1911, when it ranked #328. Today it's #8,243, so it could be due a comeback.
- TrendWilford has climbed 1,311 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #8,243. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- MeaningIn English, Wilford means “willow ford”.
About the name Wilford
Wilford is a boy name of English origin meaning “willow ford”. It has 7 letters and 2 syllables, starting with W and ending in “-ord”. US birth records list Wilford for boys from 1880 to 2025, in 143 of those 146 years. Its best year was 1911, when it ranked #328 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #8,243, with 9 babies.
Origin:English names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 155 | 6,432 boys |
| 1890s | 168 | 5,950 boys |
| 1900s | 178 | 5,607 boys |
| 1910s | 251 | 3,976 boys |
| 1920s | 226 | 4,422 boys |
| 1930s | 160 | 6,251 boys |
| 1940s | 93 | 10,769 boys |
| 1950s | 53 | 18,695 boys |
| 1960s | 31 | 32,321 boys |
| 1970s | 24 | 42,373 boys |
| 1980s | 12 | 80,775 boys |
| 1990s | 6.5 | 153,846 boys |
| 2000s | 3.6 | 277,008 boys |
| 2010s | 4.5 | 220,264 boys |
| 2020s | 3.7 | 271,493 boys |
More English boy names
- Boy name: Oliver · olive tree
- Boy name: Henry · ruler of the home
- Unisex name: James · supplanter
- Boy name: William · resolute protector
- Boy name: Benjamin · son of the right hand
- Boy name: Jack · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Hudson · son of Hudde
- Unisex name: Julian · of the Julius family
Questions about the name Wilford
What does the name Wilford mean?
Wilford means “willow ford” in English.
What is the origin of the name Wilford?
Wilford has English roots in our records. Other English names include Oliver, Henry, James.
Is Wilford a boy or girl name?
Wilford is a boy name.
How popular is the name Wilford?
Wilford ranked #8,243 for US boys in 2025, given to 9 babies. Its best year was 1911 (#328).