Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1921

Melford

Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Melford
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1921
46 babies
All-time total
1,175
#4,646 all-time among boys
First recorded
1904
in Social Security records

Melford popularity over time

1,175 babies have been named Melford since 1904, 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 1904Boys

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 – – – –
1900s 17 2 – #1,163
1910s 173 17 +918% #1,151
1920s 334 33 +93% #1,039
1930s 226 23 -32% #1,223
1940s 184 18 -19% #1,560
1950s 135 14 -27% #1,667
1960s 53 5 -61% #2,495
1970s 46 5 -13% #3,564
1980s 7 1 -85% #5,406
1990s – – – –
2000s – – – –
2010s – – – –
2020s (to 2025) – – – –

The story of Melford

Melford 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 1904, 1,175 American babies have been named Melford. Its peak came in 1921, when 46 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 Melford stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Melford?

The median living Melford is about 73 years old; half are between 63 and 80. An estimated 300 people named Melford are alive in the United States today.

median 73 020406080100

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

Melford 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 – –
2018 – –
2017 – –
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 – –
2012 – –
2011 – –
2010 – –
2009 – –
2008 – –
2007 – –
2006 – –
2005 – –
2004 – –
2003 – –
2002 – –
2001 – –
2000 – –
1995 – –
1990 – –
1985 – –
1980 – –
1975 7 #4,630
1970 5 #5,199
1965 6 #3,795
1960 – –
1955 13 #2,278
1950 15 #1,996
1945 19 #1,560
1940 15 #1,868
1935 20 #1,573
1930 27 #1,413
1925 40 #1,114
1920 24 #1,577
1915 16 #1,855
1910 – –
1905 – –
1900 – –
1895 – –
1890 – –
1885 – –
1880 – –

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Melford?

The median living Melford is about 73 years old. Half of all living Melfords are between 63 and 80 years old.

How many people named Melford are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Melford are alive in the United States, based on 1,175 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Melford in 2025?

Melford 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 Melford?

1,175 babies have been named Melford in the United States since 1904, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Melford most popular?

Melford peaked in 1921, when 46 newborns received the name.

Is Melford a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Melford rising or falling?

Melford has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Melford

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

Compare Melford with similar names → More names starting with M →