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Ford Boy

Popularity: #494 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

Pronunciationford / /fɔrd/

English; Old English

Meaning

river crossing; ford

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ford has its roots in Old English, derived from the word "forda," which means a shallow place in a river or stream where one can cross. This term can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic *furthō, which also relates to the Old Norse "fjorðr" and the Dutch "voorde." The transition into the English language occurred during the early medieval period, as Old English evolved into Middle English, with the name Ford being used both as a surname and a given name.

Historically, the name Ford appears in various records throughout the Middle Ages, often associated with geographical locations, as many surnames were derived from the names of places. Notably, the name is linked to several English locations named Ford, which were often situated near river crossings. The use of Ford as a surname became more prominent in the 13th century, with individuals bearing the name appearing in historical documents and land grants. The name also appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, indicating its early significance in English society.

Culturally, the name Ford carries connotations of strength and stability, reflecting the practical importance of river crossings in medieval life. It symbolizes a connection to nature and the landscape, as well as the journey and transition, which are central themes in many cultures. The name has also been associated with notable figures throughout history, including various local leaders and landowners in England. A diminutive form, such as "Forde," has also been used historically, though it is less common. Overall, the name Ford has maintained its relevance through its historical roots and cultural significance.

Trend Summary

The name Ford has seen a modest rise in popularity in the United States in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

International Variants

Famous people named Ford

Fictional characters named Ford

Ford Prefect is a fictional character from the book series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He is a researcher for the titular guide and a friend of the protagonist Arthur Dent.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ford was first seen in the United States in 1880. Ford has ranked as high as #723 nationally, which occurred in 2021, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Michigan, Georgia, and North Carolina. In the past 5 years the name Ford has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Ford (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 55
13%
TX 46
11%
GA 27
6%
IL 26
6%
NC 21
5%
AZ 21
5%
FL 21
5%
OH 20
5%
PA 18
4%
UT 17
4%
MI 16
4%
TN 16
4%
NY 14
3%
IN 13
3%
MO 11
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18808
188111
18827
18838
18859
18866
188710
18888
188915
189017
189111
189212
189313
189413
18958
189611
189710
18989
189911
190024
19017
190213
19039
19049
190512
190613
19079
190823
190916
191016
191118
191257
191351
191472
1915133
1916101
191795
191872
191979
192057
192179
192287
1923115
192476
192588
192671
192763
192850
192951
193047
193134
193233
193332
193433
193535
193629
193733
193834
193943
194029
194146
194242
194341
194448
194538
194647
194763
194845
194946
195041
195151
195238
195344
195449
195526
195642
195742
195837
195948
196036
196132
196230
196330
196416
196528
196625
196722
196822
196926
197027
197120
197211
197319
19746
197515
197615
19779
197811
197923
198012
198114
198210
198316
198417
198517
198616
198720
198825
198922
199019
199126
199228
199327
199438
199536
199636
199749
199835
199936
200052
200141
200245
200354
200437
200562
200688
200766
200887
200994
2010101
2011139
2012171
2013183
2014245
2015327
2016342
2017344
2018417
2019497
2020647
2021707
2022649
2023564
2024504