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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Broad ford (a wide river crossing)
- Origin
- Old English (place name transferred to surname)
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- BRAD-ferd
Bradford is an Old English place name that became a surname: it means "broad ford," a wide river crossing. It's pronounced BRAD-ferd. If you like a name with a solid, grounded feel and a literal meaning you can explain in one line, this one fits.
Meaning & Origin of Bradford
Meaning: Broad ford (a wide river crossing).
Origin: Old English (place name transferred to surname).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Bradford
BRAD-ferdIPA /ˈbrædfərd/
Popularity of Bradford
Bradford peaked at #240 in 1953, when 780 babies were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #2994, with 41 babies, so a child named Bradford today would be unlikely to share the name with a classmate.
Names Like Bradford
These names have followed a similar path to Bradford in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Bradford mean?
Broad ford (a wide river crossing). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Bradford?
Bradford is pronounced BRAD-ferd (IPA: /ˈbrædfərd/).
Is Bradford a popular name right now?
Bradford peaked at #240 in 1953 and is ranked #2994 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Bradford Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Bradford, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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