Stafford Boy

Popularity: #910 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: STAF-erd //ˈstæf.ərd//

Origin: English; Old English

Meaning: English: 'ford by a staff' or 'landing place for a boat'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Stafford has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "staf," meaning "staff" or "post," and "ford," meaning "river crossing." This etymology suggests a geographical significance, likely referring to a place where a river could be crossed with the aid of a staff or pole. The name is historically associated with various locations in England, particularly the town of Stafford in Staffordshire, which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Staford." This early documentation highlights the name's connection to both a specific locality and its linguistic origins.

Throughout the medieval period, the name Stafford became associated with notable figures, including the Stafford family, who were prominent in English history. The family produced several earls and dukes, with significant influence during the 15th and 16th centuries.

One of the most notable members was Humphrey Stafford, the Duke of Buckingham, who played a crucial role during the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century. The family's prominence contributed to the name's recognition and usage among the English nobility.

Culturally, the name Stafford has been imbued with connotations of strength and stability, reflective of its literal meaning related to crossing points and support. The name has also been associated with various historical events and figures, lending it a sense of legacy and tradition.

In addition to its use as a surname, Stafford has appeared as a given name, often in honor of familial or regional ties. The diminutive form "Staff" may also be encountered, though its usage is less common.

Overall, the name Stafford carries a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its geographic and familial connections.

Famous people named Stafford

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

We also feature individuals named Stafford 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.

Stafford H. Northcutt is a physicist best known for his work in the field of optics and laser technology.

Sibling suggestions

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

StanleyStephenSullivanSimonSeth

Similar names

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

StewartStanfordStuartSampsonSullivanSantiagoSaxon

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Stafford was first seen in the United States in 1882.

Stafford has ranked as high as #2437 nationally, which occurred in 1959, and has been most popular in Louisiana, Virginia, New York, Georgia, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Stafford has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

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

Top States for Stafford (1990)

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.

State Births Share
GA 5
100%

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 Stafford.

Year Total Births Boy
2024 14 14
2023 12 12
2022 18 18
2021 14 14
2020 14 14
2019 11 11
2018 16 16
2017 14 14
2016 12 12
2015 14 14
2014 11 11
2013 20 20
2012 12 12
2011 11 11
2010 10 10
2009 5 5
2008 14 14
2007 10 10
2006 12 12
2004 11 11
2003 8 8
2002 5 5
2001 10 10
2000 17 17
1999 8 8
1998 13 13
1997 15 15
1996 16 16
1995 18 18
1994 20 20
1993 15 15
1992 20 20
1991 24 24
1990 19 19
1989 15 15
1988 29 29
1987 26 26
1986 14 14
1985 18 18
1984 21 21
1983 19 19
1982 16 16
1981 18 18
1980 12 12
1979 17 17
1978 14 14
1977 16 16
1976 16 16
1975 28 28
1974 17 17
1973 20 20
1972 18 18
1971 25 25
1970 42 42
1969 46 46
1968 25 25
1967 27 27
1966 43 43
1965 42 42
1964 48 48
1963 37 37
1962 41 41
1961 46 46
1960 43 43
1959 53 53
1958 33 33
1957 42 42
1956 50 50
1955 32 32
1954 44 44
1953 40 40
1952 42 42
1951 41 41
1950 42 42
1949 37 37
1948 44 44
1947 33 33
1946 29 29
1945 28 28
1944 31 31
1943 25 25
1942 41 41
1941 18 18
1940 19 19
1939 26 26
1938 18 18
1937 26 26
1936 12 12
1935 42 42
1934 18 18
1933 25 25
1932 27 27
1931 26 26
1930 28 28
1929 27 27
1928 22 22
1927 28 28
1926 28 28
1925 31 31
1924 29 29
1923 30 30
1922 30 30
1921 35 35
1920 35 35
1919 39 39
1918 43 43
1917 30 30
1916 29 29
1915 21 21
1914 20 20
1913 22 22
1912 21 21
1911 9 9
1910 10 10
1907 7 7
1905 6 6
1903 6 6
1902 5 5
1901 7 7
1889 6 6
1884 7 7
1882 5 5