Rayford Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Rayford is an English name meaning 'counsel at the river crossing', originating from Old English elements. It has evolved through language changes from Rægeford to its modern form. The name conveys traits of strength and guidance. It does not have biblical relevance, but has gained notable popularity in the 20th century, with several variants and derivatives contributing to its appeal.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Rayford"
Pronunciation
/ˈreɪfərd/
Origin
English
Etymology
Rayford is derived from a combination of the Old English elements 'ræge' meaning 'counsel' and 'ford' meaning 'river crossing'.
Meaning
counsel at the river crossing
Language Evolution
Old English: Rægeford, Middle English: Rayford
Historical Usage
Rayford gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the United States, as a distinctive masculine name.
Variants & Derivatives
Ray, Rafe, Ford
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Rayford is perceived as a unique and somewhat traditional name, often associated with strength and reliability.
Famous People
Rayford Barnes - American football player, Rayford Wright - American civil rights activist
📊 Rayford Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Rayford Name Visualizations
✨ Rayford Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 124 peak births in 1937
Geographic Spread
Popular across 15 US states, with strongest presence in Alabama
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Rayford" - Complete Guide (2 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Rayford". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 2 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Rayford" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Rayford"
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 "Rayford"
"Rayford" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 831st of 7545 | 1,058 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 646th of 6773 | 1,671 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 794th of 7552 | 1,626 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1318th of 10718 | 664 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2912th of 16616 | 324 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 8218th of 24088 | 123 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 14409th of 23106 | 31 |
Regional Popularity of "Rayford" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
21.51% 509th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
17.08% 402nd/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
53.44% 1190th/2227 |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
19.45% 555th/2853 |
42.13% 1169th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
60.98% 1791st/2937 |
- |
24.67% 868th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
44.36% 2304th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Rayford" 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 "Rayford"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Rayford" 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 "Rayford" in the United States
The name Rayford is most popular in Alabama, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation 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. From 2020-2022, Rayford 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, 'Rayford' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 831st out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 646th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 794th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1318th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2912th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 8218th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 14409th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Rayford' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.