Telford Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: TEL-ford /ˈtɛl.fɔrd/
Origin: English; Scottish
Meaning: English: from the ford by the hill; Scottish: hill ford
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Telford is of English origin, derived from the Old English elements "telf" meaning "to pluck" or "to pull" and "ford" meaning "river crossing" or "ford." This suggests a geographical significance, likely referring to a river crossing that was notable for its ease of access or safety. The name is believed to have originated from a place name in Shropshire, England, which was recorded in historical documents as "Telford" in the 19th century, although the roots of the name can be traced back further in the region's linguistic history.
Historically, Telford as a place name gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, when it was developed as a new town to accommodate the growing population and industrial activity in the area. The town was named after the civil engineer Thomas Telford, who was instrumental in the construction of roads, bridges, and canals in Britain.
His work, particularly in the early 19th century, contributed significantly to the infrastructure of the region, and the town was officially designated in 1963, reflecting his legacy. Culturally, the name Telford carries associations with engineering and innovation due to its connection to Thomas Telford.
His contributions to civil engineering have made the name resonate within contexts related to infrastructure and development. The name may also evoke a sense of place and community, as it is tied to a specific geographical location that has evolved over time.
While diminutive forms or variations are not commonly noted, the name's historical significance and its ties to a prominent figure in engineering have helped maintain its recognition.
Famous people named Telford
In this section, you will find notable people named Telford. 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 Telford who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Telford 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.
Telford Taylor was a lawyer and military officer best known for his role as chief prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials, his work in international law, and his advocacy for civil rights.
Fictional characters named Telford
The following list of fictional characters named Telford is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Telford is a fictional character from the TV series Stargate Universe. He is the commanding officer of the Destiny, tasked with leading a group of explorers through the galaxy.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Telford, 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 Telford. 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 Telford was first seen in the United States in 1903.
Telford has ranked as high as #858 nationally, which occurred in 1937, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania.
In the past 5 years the name Telford has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Telford 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 Telford was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Telford (1951)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 6 |
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 Telford.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1966 | 8 |
| 1964 | 9 |
| 1961 | 5 |
| 1955 | 7 |
| 1954 | 8 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1951 | 10 |
| 1950 | 5 |
| 1949 | 5 |
| 1948 | 5 |
| 1946 | 9 |
| 1945 | 5 |
| 1944 | 6 |
| 1942 | 7 |
| 1941 | 6 |
| 1940 | 9 |
| 1939 | 8 |
| 1937 | 14 |
| 1936 | 8 |
| 1934 | 10 |
| 1933 | 9 |
| 1932 | 8 |
| 1931 | 7 |
| 1930 | 8 |
| 1928 | 10 |
| 1927 | 10 |
| 1926 | 7 |
| 1925 | 12 |
| 1924 | 10 |
| 1923 | 10 |
| 1922 | 10 |
| 1921 | 10 |
| 1920 | 10 |
| 1919 | 9 |
| 1918 | 11 |
| 1917 | 12 |
| 1916 | 7 |
| 1915 | 9 |
| 1914 | 5 |
| 1913 | 6 |
| 1912 | 9 |
| 1903 | 5 |