Bradford is an English given name of uncertain origin. Some sources suggest that it may derive from the Old Norse personal name Bradeard, which was composed of the elements bróðir meaning "brother" and earl meaning "nobleman". Alternatively, Bradford could be derived from the Middle English personal name Brodeward, which was composed of the elements brode meaning "wide" or "broad" and ward meaning "guard".
The name Bradford is associated with several notable figures in history. One of the most famous bearers of this name was Sir Henry Bradwardine (c. 1290-1349), an English cleric and mathematician who served as the Bishop of Ely from 1345 until his death. He was also known for his work on calendrical calculations and his treatise on the astrolabe.
Another notable figure with the name Bradford was William Bradford (1590-1657), a Pilgrim leader who played a crucial role in the founding of Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts. He served as the governor of the colony for more than 30 years and is best known for his historical account of the colony's early years, entitled Of Plymouth Plantation.
In addition to its historical significance, the name Bradford has also been used in popular culture. For example, it was the given name of Brad Pitt's character in the film "Thelma & Louise" (1991) and is the surname of the main character in the television series "Gilmore Girls" (2000-2007).
Overall, Bradford is a strong and distinctive English given name with an uncertain origin but a rich history associated with notable figures throughout time.
Here are some observations from the provided statistics on the name Bradford:
- The number of annual births named Bradford varied greatly over time, from a low of 5 births per year to a high of 74.
- There were several periods of consistency in the number of births:
- Between 1880 and 1897, there was a pattern of 5 births per year, with only minor fluctuations.
- In the early 20th century (1904 to around 1936), the number of births ranged from about 80 to 130 annually.
- From the late 1930s to the mid-1950s, there were consistently over 500 births per year.
- After the mid-1950s, the number of births named Bradford began to decline steadily until reaching a low of 41 in 2022.
- The peak years for the name Bradford were during World War II and immediately after. In particular:
- 1942 had 159 births, the highest ever recorded.
- Between 1943 and 1946 (inclusive), there were over 250 births each year.
- Overall, the total number of births named Bradford was 32,001 between 1880 and 2023.