Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1921

Rutherford

Meaning cattle Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists

From Old English hryþer (“cattle”) + ford (“ford”).

Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Rutherford
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1921
25 babies
All-time total
729
#6,270 all-time among boys
First recorded
1880
in Social Security records

Rutherford popularity over time

729 babies have been named Rutherford since 1880, 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
0.030.050.080.118801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1880Boys

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 31 3 – #736
1890s 14 1 -55% #925
1900s 20 2 +43% #910
1910s 139 14 +595% #1,402
1920s 158 16 +14% #1,538
1930s 84 8 -47% #2,014
1940s 84 8 0% #2,186
1950s 60 6 -29% #2,710
1960s 22 2 -63% #3,877
1970s 25 3 +14% #4,629
1980s – – – –
1990s 7 1 – #7,029
2000s 5 1 -29% #14,001
2010s 43 4 +760% #7,523
2020s (to 2025) 37 6 +43% #7,480

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.

How old are people named Rutherford?

The median living Rutherford is about 59 years old; half are between 8 and 75. An estimated 200 people named Rutherford are alive in the United States today.

median 59 020406080100

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

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

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

  1. 1 Rutherford B. Hayes Rutherford B. Hayes President of the United States from 1877 to 1881 1822–1893 · 19th century
  2. 2 Rutherford Alcock Rutherford Alcock British diplomatic representative 1809–1897 · 19th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Rutherford?

The median living Rutherford is about 59 years old. Half of all living Rutherfords are between 8 and 75 years old.

How many people named Rutherford are alive today?

An estimated 200 people named Rutherford are alive in the United States, based on 729 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

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).

Names like Rutherford

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

Compare Rutherford with similar names → More names starting with R →