Bradford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Bradford has its origins in Old English, meaning 'broad river crossing.' It has evolved through various forms and is associated with a strong and stable image. There is no significant biblical relevance. The name gained popularity in the 19th century alongside the industrial growth of Bradford, England.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Bradford"
Pronunciation
/ˈbræd.fərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Bradford is derived from the Old English words 'brad' meaning broad and 'ford' meaning river crossing. It originally referred to a broad river crossing.
Meaning
broad river crossing
Language Evolution
Bradford (Modern English), Bradford (Middle English), Bradeford (Old English)
Historical Usage
Bradford gained popularity as a given name in the 19th century, influenced by the rise of the industrial city of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England.
Variants & Derivatives
Brad, Bradly, Bradfordian
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Bradford is perceived as a traditional name with a historical significance, often associated with strength and stability.
Famous People
Bradford Anderson, an American actor, Bradford M. Freeman, a World War II veteran and notable figure
📊 Bradford Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Bradford Name Visualizations
✨ Bradford Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 780 peak births in 1953
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in Massachusetts
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 10 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Bradford"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Bradford"
"Bradford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 738th of 7545 | 1,235 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 548th of 6773 | 2,135 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 305th of 7552 | 11,136 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 328th of 10718 | 9,141 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 494th of 16616 | 5,904 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1382nd of 24088 | 1,712 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2367th of 23106 | 687 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 12526th of 12526 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 11870th of 19264 | 29 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 27321st of 27321 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Bradford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
70.55% 999th/1416 |
33.94% 468th/1379 |
45.65% 1080th/2366 |
56.92% 650th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
39.72% 614th/1546 |
20.76% 323rd/1556 |
45.26% 1065th/2353 |
34.20% 529th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
12.21% 272nd/2227 |
9.14% 222nd/2430 |
14.69% 419th/2853 |
10.70% 297th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
11.00% 323rd/2937 |
7.64% 266th/3483 |
8.84% 311th/3518 |
10.09% 408th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
15.14% 558th/3685 |
7.75% 347th/4475 |
9.05% 470th/5194 |
10.08% 637th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
41.29% 1892nd/4582 |
24.15% 1247th/5164 |
17.91% 1310th/7313 |
24.37% 1819th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
76.51% 3048th/3984 |
71.52% 3209th/4487 |
32.29% 2203rd/6822 |
42.43% 2663rd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Bradford" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Bradford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Bradford" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Bradford" in the United States
The name Bradford is most popular in Massachusetts, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Bradford has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Bradford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 738th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 548th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 305th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 328th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 494th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1382nd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2367th out of 23106 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 12526th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 11870th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 27321st out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Bradford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.