Rutherford
From Old English hryþer (“cattle”) + ford (“ford”).
Every Rutherford since 1880 — 729 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Rutherford
Rutherford 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 1880, 729 American babies have been named Rutherford. Its peak came in 1921, when 25 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 Rutherford stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Rutherford 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 | 11 | #7,647 |
| 2022 | 9 | #8,852 |
| 2021 | 11 | #7,480 |
| 2020 | 6 | #11,749 |
| 2019 | 5 | #13,759 |
| 2018 | 11 | #7,523 |
| 2017 | 8 | #9,527 |
| 2016 | 8 | #9,509 |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 6 | #11,849 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 5 | #13,826 |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 5 | #14,001 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | 7 | #7,029 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 6 | #4,629 |
| 1965 | 5 | #4,341 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 8 | #3,168 |
| 1950 | 7 | #3,274 |
| 1945 | 5 | #3,708 |
| 1940 | 9 | #2,647 |
| 1935 | 14 | #2,014 |
| 1930 | 15 | #2,058 |
| 1925 | 14 | #2,301 |
| 1920 | 18 | #1,951 |
| 1915 | 19 | #1,651 |
| 1910 | 7 | #1,402 |
| 1905 | 9 | #910 |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 8 | #736 |
Famous people named Rutherford
- Rutherford B. Hayes Politician · 1822–1893
- Rutherford Alcock Physician · 1809–1897
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rutherford mean?
From Old English hryþer (“cattle”) + ford (“ford”).
How popular is the name Rutherford in 2025?
Rutherford 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 Rutherford?
729 babies have been named Rutherford in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Rutherford most popular?
Rutherford peaked in 1921, when 25 newborns received the name.
Is Rutherford a boy or girl name?
Rutherford is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Rutherford rising or falling?
Rutherford is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Rutherford?
Well-known people named Rutherford include Rutherford B. Hayes (politician), Rutherford Alcock (physician).