Buford
Primarily a boy's name with 10,848 recorded births. Also given to 110 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Buford is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, derived from a surname meaning 'ford near the beech trees,' from the Old English bōc (beech) and ford (river crossing). It transferred from surname to given name in 19th-century America.
Buford was associated with the American frontier spirit — General John Buford's crucial role at the Battle of Gettysburg gave the name military gravitas. It's unmistakably Southern American in character, evoking a bygone era of frontier determination.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Buford is a boy's name with over a century of recorded use (1880–2023). American naming is uniquely syncretic — it borrows from dozens of traditions, invents freely, and recombines elements in ways that make strict etymological tracing difficult for many names.
Though no longer in the top 1,000, Buford’s 10,848 recorded births mean it has left a mark. Every name carries the accumulated identity of the people who have worn it — and Buford has decades of that history.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Buford has 124+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1880.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | #12525 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 10 | #12522 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 32 | #8440 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 88 | #6625 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 203 | #2705 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 375 | #1480 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 587 | #997 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 963 | #754 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 1,652 | #493 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 1,935 | #406 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 2,759 | #354 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 1,737 | #359 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 277 | #429 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 156 | #506 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 69 | #624 | — |
The Story of Buford
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1921, Buford is a name steeped in history. Boys named Buford are most likely born between 1911 and 1931.
How rare is Buford?
Buford has 10,848 recorded births in the U.S. — a well-established name with deep roots.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 2,759 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Buford by the numbers
- Would fill 226 school buses
- Meeting one Buford per day would take 29.7 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(124 years, 1880–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | #12525 |
| 2016 | 5 | #12483 |
| 2012 | 5 | #12560 |
| 2006 | 6 | #10855 |
| 2005 | 10 | #7193 |
| 2003 | 7 | #8789 |
| 2000 | 9 | #6922 |
| 1999 | 7 | #7973 |
| 1998 | 6 | #8611 |
| 1997 | 6 | #8268 |
| 1996 | 7 | #7239 |
| 1995 | 9 | #5986 |
| 1994 | 6 | #7898 |
| 1993 | 12 | #4738 |
| 1992 | 6 | #7535 |
| 1991 | 12 | #4520 |
| 1990 | 17 | #3483 |
| 1989 | 13 | #4047 |
| 1988 | 14 | #3545 |
| 1987 | 15 | #3215 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Buford as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Buford has also been given to 110 girls in the U.S. since 1908.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buford a boy's or girl's name?
When was Buford most popular?
How popular is the name Buford?
Can Buford be used for both boys and girls?
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2023