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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Willow ford — a river crossing lined with willow trees
- Origin
- Old English (place name)
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- WIL-ferd
Wilford is an Old English place name that literally describes a spot on the land: a willow ford, where a river could be crossed near a stand of willow trees. It's a name rooted in geography rather than in an abstract quality or virtue. If you want a name with a plain, literal picture behind it, this is about as concrete as that gets.
Meaning & Origin of Wilford
Meaning: Willow ford — a river crossing lined with willow trees.
Origin: Old English (place name).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Wilford
WIL-ferdIPA /ˈwɪlfərd/
Popularity of Wilford
Wilford peaked in 1911, when 69 baby boys were given the name, but has fallen sharply since — by 2024 it ranked #14116 with just 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security data covering 1880 to 2024.
Names Like Wilford
These names have followed a similar path to Wilford in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Wilford mean?
Willow ford — a river crossing lined with willow trees. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Wilford?
Wilford is pronounced WIL-ferd (IPA: /ˈwɪlfərd/).
Is Wilford a popular name right now?
Wilford peaked at #333 in 1911 and is ranked #14116 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Wilford Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Wilford, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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