Wilford Boy

Popularity: #929 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: WIL-ford //ˈwɪl.fɔrd//

Origin: English; Old German

Meaning: English: Willful guardian; Old German: Resolute

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Wilford has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "willa," meaning "will" or "desire," and "ford," which refers to a river crossing or ford. This etymological combination suggests a meaning akin to "desire by the river crossing." The name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning from Old English to Middle English before entering the modern English lexicon.

The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the medieval period, where it was used as a given name and a surname, particularly in England. Historically, the name Wilford appears in various documents and records from the 12th century onward.

It is associated with several notable figures, including Wilford Woodruff, a prominent leader in the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 19th century. The name has also been linked to various locations in England, such as Wilford, a village in Nottinghamshire, which further solidifies its historical significance.

The presence of the name in ecclesiastical records and local histories underscores its enduring nature in English-speaking regions. Culturally, the name Wilford carries connotations of strength and determination, reflective of its etymological roots.

It has been used in literature and historical texts, contributing to its resonance within certain communities. The name's association with geographical features, such as rivers, may symbolize a connection to nature and the importance of waterways in early English settlements.

Additionally, diminutive forms like Wilf have emerged, showcasing the name's adaptability and continued relevance throughout the centuries.

Famous people named Wilford

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

We also feature individuals named Wilford 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.

Wilford Brimley was an actor and musician best known for Cocoon, The Natural, and The Firm.

Wilford Woodruff was a religious leader best known for being the fourth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Fictional characters named Wilford

The following list of fictional characters named Wilford 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.

Wilford Wiffle is a fictional character from the animated television series The Amazing World of Gumball. He is a minor character known for his quirky personality and humorous interactions with the main cast.

Wilford is a fictional character from the video game series Danganronpa. He is a skilled manipulator and plays a significant role in the game's overarching narrative.

Sibling suggestions

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

WilliamWalterWinstonWesleyWyattWarren

Similar names

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

WilburWilderWilhelmWileyWinstonWillardWaldo

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Wilford has ranked as high as #747 nationally, which occurred in 1926, and has been most popular in Texas, Missouri, Utah, Louisiana, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Wilford has been trending about the same compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Wilford 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 Wilford 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 Wilford.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 9 9 0
2024 5 5 0
2023 10 10 0
2022 7 7 0
2020 7 7 0
2018 6 6 0
2017 10 10 0
2016 8 8 0
2015 10 10 0
2014 11 11 0
2013 9 9 0
2012 7 7 0
2011 10 10 0
2010 15 15 0
2008 8 8 0
2007 5 5 0
2006 5 5 0
2005 9 9 0
2004 8 8 0
2003 5 5 0
2002 5 5 0
2001 13 13 0
2000 14 14 0
1999 17 17 0
1998 8 8 0
1997 10 10 0
1996 9 9 0
1995 14 14 0
1994 7 7 0
1993 15 15 0
1992 14 14 0
1991 18 18 0
1990 15 15 0
1989 25 25 0
1988 20 20 0
1987 18 18 0
1986 22 22 0
1985 11 11 0
1984 26 26 0
1983 24 24 0
1982 37 37 0
1981 20 20 0
1980 25 25 0
1979 34 34 0
1978 32 32 0
1977 37 37 0
1976 37 37 0
1975 43 43 0
1974 44 44 0
1973 26 26 0
1972 48 48 0
1971 37 37 0
1970 52 52 0
1969 51 51 0
1968 63 63 0
1967 44 44 0
1966 50 50 0
1965 58 58 0
1964 63 63 0
1963 64 64 0
1962 66 66 0
1961 69 69 0
1960 70 70 0
1959 80 80 0
1958 95 95 0
1957 94 94 0
1956 100 100 0
1955 116 116 0
1954 109 109 0
1953 115 115 0
1952 112 112 0
1951 132 132 0
1950 118 118 0
1949 132 132 0
1948 128 128 0
1947 129 129 0
1946 125 125 0
1945 128 128 0
1944 144 144 0
1943 144 144 0
1942 151 151 0
1941 122 122 0
1940 143 143 0
1939 145 145 0
1938 150 150 0
1937 164 164 0
1936 158 158 0
1935 153 153 0
1934 193 193 0
1933 139 139 0
1932 169 169 0
1931 208 208 0
1930 210 210 0
1929 215 215 0
1928 249 249 0
1927 232 232 0
1926 276 276 0
1925 257 252 5
1924 257 257 0
1923 223 223 0
1922 268 268 0
1921 271 271 0
1920 249 249 0
1919 238 238 0
1918 271 271 0
1917 232 232 0
1916 225 225 0
1915 240 240 0
1914 169 169 0
1913 123 123 0
1912 92 92 0
1911 69 69 0
1910 39 39 0
1909 31 31 0
1908 38 38 0
1907 31 31 0
1906 29 29 0
1905 25 25 0
1904 18 18 0
1903 18 18 0
1902 17 17 0
1901 15 15 0
1900 24 24 0
1899 11 11 0
1898 15 15 0
1897 22 22 0
1896 18 18 0
1895 18 18 0
1894 28 28 0
1893 28 28 0
1892 15 15 0
1891 20 20 0
1890 16 16 0
1889 11 11 0
1888 17 17 0
1887 13 13 0
1886 12 12 0
1885 20 20 0
1884 16 16 0
1883 20 20 0
1882 25 25 0
1881 18 18 0
1880 18 18 0

Top States for Wilford (1993)

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
CA 6
100%