Stafford
From Old English stæþ (“landing place”) + ford.
Every Stafford since 1882 — 2,850 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Stafford
Stafford is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,933 in 2025 with 28 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1882, 2,850 American babies have been named Stafford. Its peak came in 1959, when 53 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Stafford stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Stafford year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 28 | #3,933 |
| 2024 | 14 | #6,427 |
| 2023 | 12 | #7,240 |
| 2022 | 18 | #5,406 |
| 2021 | 14 | #6,301 |
| 2020 | 14 | #6,249 |
| 2019 | 11 | #7,565 |
| 2018 | 16 | #5,743 |
| 2017 | 14 | #6,293 |
| 2016 | 12 | #7,085 |
| 2015 | 14 | #6,267 |
| 2014 | 11 | #7,484 |
| 2013 | 20 | #4,775 |
| 2012 | 12 | #6,978 |
| 2011 | 11 | #7,435 |
| 2010 | 10 | #8,052 |
| 2009 | 5 | #14,211 |
| 2008 | 14 | #6,353 |
| 2007 | 10 | #8,079 |
| 2006 | 12 | #6,849 |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | 11 | #6,915 |
| 2003 | 8 | #8,519 |
| 2002 | 5 | #12,243 |
| 2001 | 10 | #6,867 |
| 2000 | 17 | #4,537 |
| 1995 | 18 | #3,673 |
| 1990 | 19 | #3,293 |
| 1985 | 18 | #2,811 |
| 1980 | 12 | #3,588 |
| 1975 | 28 | #1,778 |
| 1970 | 42 | #1,294 |
| 1965 | 42 | #1,187 |
| 1960 | 43 | #1,207 |
| 1955 | 32 | #1,365 |
| 1950 | 42 | #1,104 |
| 1945 | 28 | #1,267 |
| 1940 | 19 | #1,619 |
| 1935 | 42 | #989 |
| 1930 | 28 | #1,395 |
| 1925 | 31 | #1,328 |
| 1920 | 35 | #1,232 |
| 1915 | 21 | #1,548 |
| 1910 | 10 | #1,109 |
| 1905 | 6 | #1,218 |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Stafford
- Stafford Cripps Politician · 1889–1952
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Stafford mean?
From Old English stæþ (“landing place”) + ford.
How popular is the name Stafford in 2025?
Stafford ranked #3,933 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 28 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Stafford?
2,850 babies have been named Stafford in the United States since 1882, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Stafford most popular?
Stafford peaked in 1959, when 53 newborns received the name.
Is Stafford a boy or girl name?
Stafford is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Stafford rising or falling?
Stafford is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Stafford?
Well-known people named Stafford include Stafford Cripps (politician).