Ruthford
A boy's name of Old English origin with 35 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
At 8 letters and two syllables, Ruthford is a longer name that carries presence on a page and formality in full, while likely inviting a natural nickname in daily life. It has been used as a boy's name in the U.S. since 1918, with 35 total recorded births.
Ruthford is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Ruthford is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Ruthford is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, a variant of Rutherford, a place name and surname meaning 'cattle ford' (from hryder, cattle, and ford, river crossing). It is most recognized as the surname of U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes.
As a given name, Ruthford is extremely rare. The shortened form trims the more cumbersome Rutherford while keeping its distinctive character — appealing to parents who like presidential or surname-style names but want something less commonly heard than Lincoln or Hayes.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Ruthford's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Ruthford follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Ruthford's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ruthford has 6+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1918.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 29 | #4231 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 6 | #4089 | — |
The Story of Ruthford
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1918, Ruthford is a name steeped in history. Boys named Ruthford are most likely born between 1918 and 1928.
How rare is Ruthford?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Ruthford is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1918, peaked in the 1920s with 29 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(6 years, 1918–1929)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1929 | 6 | #3890 |
| 1928 | 6 | #4082 |
| 1926 | 5 | #4729 |
| 1921 | 6 | #4253 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4203 |
| 1918 | 6 | #4089 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ruthford a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ruthford most popular?
How popular is the name Ruthford?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1918–1929