Belford Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BEL-ford //ˈbɛl.fɔrd//
Origin: English; Old English
Meaning: English: 'Belford' refers to a 'ford by a bell' or 'beautiful ford'; Old English: 'beorht' (bright) + 'ford' (river crossing)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Belford has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "beo" meaning "bee" and "ford" meaning "river crossing" or "ford." This etymological composition suggests a geographical significance, likely referring to a place where bees were abundant near a river crossing. The name evolved through various forms, transitioning from Old English into Middle English, where it was recorded as "Belford" in the 12th century.
The name subsequently entered the lexicon of the English language, maintaining its original spelling and meaning as it was adopted in various regions of England. Historically, Belford is associated with a village in Northumberland, England, which has been documented since the medieval period.
The village's name appears in records dating back to the 13th century, indicating its established presence during that time. Additionally, the name has been linked to notable figures in English history, including local nobility and landowners, which contributed to its recognition in historical texts.
The name's presence in the Domesday Book of 1086, although not specifically listed as "Belford," reflects the significance of place names in the region during the Norman Conquest. Culturally, the name Belford carries connotations of pastoral life and nature, resonating with the imagery of bees and rivers, which have been significant in English folklore and agrarian traditions.
The name's association with geographical features has allowed it to endure through centuries, embodying a connection to the English landscape. While diminutive forms or variations may exist, such as "Belf" in some contexts, the name Belford itself has maintained a consistent identity throughout its history, reflecting the linguistic and cultural evolution of English naming practices.
Famous people named Belford
In this section, you will find notable people named Belford. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Belford who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Belford who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Belford Lawson is a lawyer best known for his work in civil rights and international law.
Belford Hendricks is a musician best known for his contributions to jazz and blues music.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Belford, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Belford. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Belford was first seen in the United States in 1900.
Belford has ranked as high as #867 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Belford has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Belford is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Belford was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Belford
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Belford.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1952 | 9 |
| 1949 | 7 |
| 1947 | 9 |
| 1944 | 8 |
| 1942 | 5 |
| 1938 | 5 |
| 1935 | 7 |
| 1934 | 5 |
| 1933 | 11 |
| 1931 | 10 |
| 1929 | 12 |
| 1928 | 5 |
| 1927 | 9 |
| 1926 | 10 |
| 1925 | 12 |
| 1924 | 10 |
| 1923 | 13 |
| 1922 | 5 |
| 1921 | 17 |
| 1920 | 6 |
| 1918 | 13 |
| 1917 | 7 |
| 1916 | 10 |
| 1915 | 5 |
| 1912 | 7 |
| 1900 | 7 |