Reford
A boy's name of Old English origin with 116 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Reford is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, a transferred surname from a place name meaning 'ford by the reeds' — from the Old English hrēod (reed) and ford (river crossing).
Reford has the quiet, rural English character of place-name surnames, evoking misty riverbanks and ancient crossings. It fits naturally alongside names like Bradford, Hereford, and Milford — English topographic names with centuries of history.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Reford is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1914–1954). Its Old English roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 116 total births, Reford exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Reford has 20+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1914.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 10 | #4174 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 22 | #3688 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 37 | #3515 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 30 | #4148 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 17 | #3925 | — |
The Story of Reford
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1916, Reford is a name steeped in history. Boys named Reford are most likely born between 1914 and 1926.
How rare is Reford?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Reford is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1914, peaked in the 1930s with 37 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Reford by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(20 years, 1914–1954)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | 5 | #4253 |
| 1950 | 5 | #4094 |
| 1949 | 5 | #4101 |
| 1946 | 6 | #3456 |
| 1944 | 5 | #3806 |
| 1940 | 6 | #3389 |
| 1938 | 6 | #3455 |
| 1937 | 6 | #3457 |
| 1936 | 6 | #3463 |
| 1935 | 6 | #3579 |
| 1933 | 7 | #3218 |
| 1930 | 6 | #3919 |
| 1929 | 6 | #3869 |
| 1928 | 6 | #4056 |
| 1923 | 7 | #3748 |
| 1922 | 5 | #4826 |
| 1921 | 6 | #4240 |
| 1918 | 5 | #4676 |
| 1916 | 7 | #3446 |
| 1914 | 5 | #3652 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reford a boy's or girl's name?
When was Reford most popular?
How popular is the name Reford?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1914–1954