Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1921

Linford

Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Linford
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1921
20 babies
All-time total
779
#6,000 all-time among boys
First recorded
1896
in Social Security records

Linford popularity over time

779 babies have been named Linford since 1896, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.010.030.040.0518801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1896Boys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Boys Per year Change Best rank
1880s – – – –
1890s 5 1 – #1,195
1900s – – – –
1910s 83 8 – #1,756
1920s 144 14 +73% #1,800
1930s 121 12 -16% #1,764
1940s 114 11 -6% #1,776
1950s 100 10 -12% #2,017
1960s 73 7 -27% #2,897
1970s 32 3 -56% #3,818
1980s 37 4 +16% #5,287
1990s 23 2 -38% #6,985
2000s 30 3 +30% #8,758
2010s 17 2 -43% #10,326
2020s (to 2025) – – – –

The story of Linford

Linford is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1896, 779 American babies have been named Linford. Its peak came in 1921, when 20 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Linford stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Linford?

The median living Linford is about 62 years old; half are between 42 and 74. An estimated 300 people named Linford are alive in the United States today.

median 62 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Linford year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Boys Boys rank
2025 – –
2024 – –
2023 – –
2022 – –
2021 – –
2020 – –
2019 5 #13,345
2018 – –
2017 – –
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 5 #13,288
2012 – –
2011 7 #10,326
2010 – –
2009 6 #11,892
2008 5 #13,786
2007 6 #11,795
2006 – –
2005 – –
2004 6 #10,815
2003 – –
2002 – –
2001 – –
2000 7 #8,758
1995 5 #9,734
1990 – –
1985 5 #7,155
1980 7 #5,287
1975 9 #3,818
1970 – –
1965 6 #3,762
1960 9 #2,991
1955 7 #3,372
1950 12 #2,279
1945 12 #2,080
1940 11 #2,260
1935 14 #1,996
1930 12 #2,387
1925 17 #1,977
1920 7 #3,684
1915 6 #3,660
1910 – –
1905 – –
1900 – –
1895 – –
1890 – –
1885 – –
1880 – –

Famous people named Linford

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

  1. 1 Linford Christie Linford Christie Jamaican-born British sprinter (born 1960) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Linford, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Linford?

The median living Linford is about 62 years old. Half of all living Linfords are between 42 and 74 years old.

How many people named Linford are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Linford are alive in the United States, based on 779 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Linford in 2025?

Linford did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Linford?

779 babies have been named Linford in the United States since 1896, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Linford most popular?

Linford peaked in 1921, when 20 newborns received the name.

Is Linford a boy or girl name?

Linford is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Linford rising or falling?

Linford is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Linford?

Well-known people named Linford include Linford Christie (athlete).

Names like Linford

Names that sound and feel close to Linford: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Linford with similar names → More names starting with L →