Everything about the name MEDFORD
Meaning, origin, history
The name Medford has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages in England. It was originally used as a surname for people who lived near a river crossing where mead was produced or traded. Over time, it evolved into a given name.
Medford is not particularly associated with any specific religious figure or legend, but rather with the historical and geographical context of its origin.
Today, Medford is still quite rare as a first name. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, there were fewer than five babies named Medford in each year between 2000 and 2019. However, it may be more commonly used as a surname in some parts of the world.
In literature and popular culture, there are a few characters named Medford, such as Dr. Medford in the book "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson, and Medford Rogers in the television show "M*A*S*H." However, these references do not appear to have significantly influenced the popularity or perception of the name.
In summary, Medford is an uncommon English given name with a historical and geographical origin. It translates to "mead river crossing" and has been used as both a surname and a given name for centuries. Despite its rarity today, it has a unique and interesting meaning that may appeal to those seeking a distinctive name choice.
See also
Popularity of the name MEDFORD since 1880
Birth evolution
Popularity analysis
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Medford in the United States from 1911 to 2013. Over this period, there were a total of 665 babies named Medford.
The name's popularity fluctuated over time. It started off relatively strong, with at least five births each year between 1911 and 1918. The peak occurred in 1924 with 35 births, which was the highest number recorded during this period. However, after that year, the frequency of the name decreased significantly.
Between 1930 and 1967, there were only 11 years where at least five babies named Medford were born each year. The lowest points occurred in 1947 and 1952 with seven births combined over two years. After 1967, there is a gap in the data until 1980 when another five babies were named Medford.
Despite its fluctuations in popularity, the name Medford has persisted as a choice for parents in the United States for over a century, with at least one baby being given this name every decade since the early 20th century.