Bradford Boy

Popularity: #906 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BRAD-ford /ˈbræd.fɔrd/

Origin: English

Meaning: Broad ford

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Bradford has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "brad," meaning broad, and "ford," referring to a river crossing. This etymology suggests a geographical significance, indicating a wide river crossing, which is a common feature in place names throughout England.

The name likely evolved from the Old English "Bradeford," which was used to denote various locations in England, particularly in Yorkshire and West Midlands. The transition into the modern form "Bradford" occurred as the English language evolved, particularly during the Middle English period, when many place names were standardized and adopted as surnames and given names.

Historically, the name Bradford is associated with several notable locations, most prominently the city of Bradford in West Yorkshire, which gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century as a center for textile manufacturing. The name has also been borne by various historical figures and local leaders, contributing to its significance in English history.

The use of Bradford as a given name can be traced back to the 19th century, when surnames began to be adopted as first names, reflecting a trend in naming practices during that era. Culturally, the name Bradford carries connotations of strength and stability, likely due to its association with enduring geographical features and historical significance.

It has been used in literature and popular culture, often evoking images of industriousness and community. The name's connection to various places and its historical roots lend it a sense of heritage, making it a name that resonates with notions of place and identity.

While diminutive forms like "Brad" have emerged, the name Bradford itself remains a testament to its rich linguistic and cultural lineage.

Famous people named Bradford

In this section, you will find notable people named Bradford. 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 Bradford who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Bradford 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.

Bradford Anderson is an actor best known for General Hospital, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and The Last House on the Left.

Bradford Cox is a musician best known for his work with Deerhunter and Atlas Sound.

Bradford Smith is a businessman best known for being the co-founder of the software company, Microsoft.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Bradford, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

BrandonBradleyBrettBrianBlakeBryce

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Bradford. 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.

BradleyBradenBraydenBrockBrodyBlaineBlairBennett

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Bradford was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Bradford has ranked as high as #530 nationally, which occurred in 1953, and has been most popular in Massachusetts, California, New York, Texas, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Bradford has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Bradford 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 Bradford was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Bradford.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 32 32 0
2024 42 42 0
2023 49 49 0
2022 42 42 0
2021 49 49 0
2020 50 50 0
2019 48 48 0
2018 67 67 0
2017 70 70 0
2016 68 68 0
2015 63 63 0
2014 77 77 0
2013 64 64 0
2012 81 81 0
2011 73 73 0
2010 78 78 0
2009 76 76 0
2008 57 57 0
2007 99 99 0
2006 95 95 0
2005 97 97 0
2004 99 99 0
2003 102 102 0
2002 125 125 0
2001 103 103 0
2000 123 123 0
1999 151 151 0
1998 176 176 0
1997 177 177 0
1996 211 211 0
1995 216 216 0
1994 243 243 0
1993 267 267 0
1992 270 270 0
1991 277 277 0
1990 304 304 0
1989 353 353 0
1988 368 368 0
1987 446 441 5
1986 387 387 0
1985 453 453 0
1984 473 473 0
1983 480 480 0
1982 561 561 0
1981 599 599 0
1980 630 630 0
1979 614 614 0
1978 599 599 0
1977 608 603 5
1976 598 593 5
1975 563 555 8
1974 602 602 0
1973 494 494 0
1972 469 469 0
1971 569 569 0
1970 612 612 0
1969 601 601 0
1968 541 535 6
1967 563 558 5
1966 525 525 0
1965 581 581 0
1964 602 602 0
1963 611 611 0
1962 535 535 0
1961 579 579 0
1960 667 667 0
1959 619 619 0
1958 620 620 0
1957 675 675 0
1956 720 720 0
1955 705 700 5
1954 773 773 0
1953 779 779 0
1952 656 656 0
1951 575 575 0
1950 576 576 0
1949 496 496 0
1948 376 376 0
1947 327 327 0
1946 251 251 0
1945 184 184 0
1944 191 191 0
1943 173 173 0
1942 159 159 0
1941 135 135 0
1940 126 126 0
1939 128 128 0
1938 107 107 0
1937 130 130 0
1936 102 102 0
1935 92 92 0
1934 96 96 0
1933 82 82 0
1932 86 86 0
1931 87 87 0
1930 88 88 0
1929 84 84 0
1928 85 85 0
1927 96 96 0
1926 98 98 0
1925 76 76 0
1924 76 76 0
1923 73 73 0
1922 71 71 0
1921 85 85 0
1920 74 74 0
1919 69 69 0
1918 70 70 0
1917 72 72 0
1916 72 72 0
1915 69 69 0
1914 50 50 0
1913 38 38 0
1912 43 43 0
1911 22 22 0
1910 8 8 0
1909 15 15 0
1908 11 11 0
1907 9 9 0
1906 5 5 0
1905 11 11 0
1904 8 8 0
1902 9 9 0
1901 5 5 0
1900 13 13 0
1898 9 9 0
1897 5 5 0
1896 13 13 0
1895 11 11 0
1894 5 5 0
1893 7 7 0
1891 9 9 0
1889 5 5 0
1888 5 5 0
1885 5 5 0
1880 5 5 0

Top States for Bradford (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
MA 5
50%
CA 5
50%