Melford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Melford is an Old English name meaning 'mill ford', derived from the elements referring to a river crossing near a mill. It has evolved from Old English to Modern English forms, reflecting its geographical significance. The name does not have biblical relevance but has historical roots in English place naming. Melford is viewed positively in modern contexts, often associated with its charm and history.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Melford"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɛlfərd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Melford is derived from Old English elements 'mel' meaning 'mill' and 'ford' meaning 'river crossing' or 'ford'.
Meaning
mill ford
Language Evolution
Old English: Meldeford, Middle English: Meldeford, Modern English: Melford
Historical Usage
Melford gained popularity as a place name in England, particularly during the medieval period when many towns were named after geographical features.
Variants & Derivatives
Melford, Mel, Ford
Modern Popularity & Image
Melford is associated with rural charm and historical significance, often viewed positively as a quaint place name.
Famous People
Melford Stevenson, a notable British local historian.
📊 Melford Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Melford Name Visualizations
✨ Melford Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 46 peak births in 1921
Geographic Spread
Popular across 7 US states, with strongest presence in Minnesota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Melford"
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 "Melford"
"Melford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1347th of 7545 | 461 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1493rd of 6773 | 393 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2237th of 7552 | 250 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5093rd of 10718 | 64 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 15172nd of 16616 | 7 |
Regional Popularity of "Melford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
60.24% 853rd/1416 |
- |
90.19% 2134th/2366 |
85.99% 982nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
73.67% 1139th/1546 |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
95.07% 2237th/2353 |
- |
| 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Melford" 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 "Melford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Melford" 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 "Melford" in the United States
The name Melford is most popular in Minnesota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Melford 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, 'Melford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1347th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1493rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2237th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5093rd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 15172nd out of 16616 names. Discover how the name 'Melford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.