Woodford Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: WOOD-ford /ˈwʊd.fɔrd/
Origin: English
Meaning: Ford by the woods
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Woodford is of English origin, deriving from the Old English elements "wudu," meaning "wood," and "ford," meaning "river crossing." The earliest forms of the name can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period, where it was used to denote a settlement near a river crossing in a wooded area. The name likely evolved through various forms, including the Middle English "Wodeford," before settling into its modern form, Woodford, as the English language developed through the centuries.
This transition reflects the linguistic shifts from Old English to Middle English and eventually to Modern English, incorporating influences from Norman French after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. Historically, the name Woodford has been associated with various geographical locations in England, notably places named Woodford in Essex and London.
These locations often have roots in the medieval period, where settlements were named for their geographical features. The name appears in historical records as early as the 12th century, with references to land ownership and local governance, indicating its significance in local history.
Additionally, the name Woodford is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, which serves as a crucial historical document detailing landholdings in England following the Norman Conquest. Culturally, the name Woodford evokes imagery of pastoral landscapes and the natural environment, reflecting the importance of woodlands and waterways in English heritage.
The association with nature has contributed to the name's enduring resonance in various contexts, including literature and local lore. The diminutive form "Woody" has also emerged in informal contexts, though it is less historically significant.
Overall, Woodford encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural imagery that underscores its place in English nomenclature.
Famous people named Woodford
In this section, you will find notable people named Woodford. 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 Woodford who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Woodford 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.
Woodford Reserve is a bourbon whiskey brand best known for its premium small-batch bourbon and its role in the Kentucky bourbon industry.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Woodford, 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 Woodford. 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 Woodford was first seen in the United States in 1911.
Woodford has ranked as high as #812 nationally, which occurred in 1916, and has been most popular in Kentucky, and Alabama.
In the past 5 years the name Woodford has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Woodford 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 Woodford was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Woodford (1952)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| KY | 5 |
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 Woodford.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1963 | 5 |
| 1958 | 10 |
| 1955 | 6 |
| 1954 | 7 |
| 1952 | 9 |
| 1950 | 5 |
| 1949 | 8 |
| 1948 | 8 |
| 1947 | 10 |
| 1946 | 11 |
| 1945 | 9 |
| 1944 | 11 |
| 1943 | 12 |
| 1942 | 14 |
| 1941 | 8 |
| 1940 | 9 |
| 1939 | 6 |
| 1938 | 5 |
| 1937 | 5 |
| 1936 | 7 |
| 1935 | 8 |
| 1934 | 7 |
| 1933 | 11 |
| 1932 | 8 |
| 1931 | 5 |
| 1930 | 19 |
| 1929 | 13 |
| 1928 | 18 |
| 1927 | 10 |
| 1926 | 15 |
| 1925 | 16 |
| 1924 | 10 |
| 1923 | 16 |
| 1922 | 18 |
| 1921 | 24 |
| 1920 | 21 |
| 1919 | 24 |
| 1918 | 27 |
| 1917 | 19 |
| 1916 | 28 |
| 1915 | 20 |
| 1914 | 17 |
| 1913 | 14 |
| 1912 | 10 |
| 1911 | 5 |