Sanford
Every Sanford since 1880 — 15,044 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sanford
Sanford is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,113 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 15,044 American babies have been named Sanford. Its peak came in 1929, when 315 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 Sanford stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sanford year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | #7,113 |
| 2024 | 12 | #7,191 |
| 2023 | 8 | #9,597 |
| 2022 | 19 | #5,183 |
| 2021 | 13 | #6,608 |
| 2020 | 17 | #5,419 |
| 2019 | 18 | #5,307 |
| 2018 | 15 | #5,994 |
| 2017 | 12 | #7,025 |
| 2016 | 13 | #6,659 |
| 2015 | 13 | #6,611 |
| 2014 | 12 | #6,981 |
| 2013 | 7 | #10,532 |
| 2012 | 14 | #6,252 |
| 2011 | 6 | #12,008 |
| 2010 | 9 | #8,668 |
| 2009 | 9 | #8,873 |
| 2008 | 17 | #5,448 |
| 2007 | 11 | #7,492 |
| 2006 | 12 | #6,832 |
| 2005 | 14 | #5,825 |
| 2004 | 14 | #5,742 |
| 2003 | 10 | #7,150 |
| 2002 | 14 | #5,344 |
| 2001 | 13 | #5,615 |
| 2000 | 18 | #4,351 |
| 1995 | 16 | #4,014 |
| 1990 | 32 | #2,249 |
| 1985 | 27 | #2,113 |
| 1980 | 43 | #1,468 |
| 1975 | 44 | #1,319 |
| 1970 | 97 | #824 |
| 1965 | 101 | #739 |
| 1960 | 171 | #603 |
| 1955 | 221 | #498 |
| 1950 | 248 | #427 |
| 1945 | 185 | #439 |
| 1940 | 240 | #369 |
| 1935 | 225 | #363 |
| 1930 | 275 | #335 |
| 1925 | 273 | #357 |
| 1920 | 216 | #402 |
| 1915 | 226 | #357 |
| 1910 | 48 | #375 |
| 1905 | 31 | #380 |
| 1900 | 21 | #531 |
| 1895 | 23 | #411 |
| 1890 | 13 | #561 |
| 1885 | 22 | #384 |
| 1880 | 30 | #312 |
Famous people named Sanford
- Sanford B. Dole Politician · 1844–1926
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Sanford in 2025?
Sanford ranked #7,113 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Sanford?
15,044 babies have been named Sanford in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sanford most popular?
Sanford peaked in 1929, when 315 newborns received the name.
Is Sanford a boy or girl name?
Sanford is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sanford rising or falling?
Sanford has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Sanford?
Well-known people named Sanford include Sanford B. Dole (politician).