Stanford: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#7,131

among boys · ↑557 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Stanford

How common

1 in 142,340

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1954

135 babies

All-time total

7,727

#1,395 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Stanford popularity over time

7,727 babies have been named Stanford 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

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	12	1	–	#898
1890s	29	3	+142%	#723
1900s	104	10	+259%	#608
1910s	662	66	+537%	#575
1920s	1,055	106	+59%	#540
1930s	960	96	-9%	#505
1940s	986	99	+3%	#596
1950s	1,191	119	+21%	#627
1960s	936	94	-21%	#724
1970s	585	59	-37%	#836
1980s	456	46	-22%	#1,330
1990s	334	33	-27%	#1,544
2000s	185	19	-45%	#3,768
2010s	149	15	-19%	#4,656
2020s (to 2025)	83	14	-7%	#4,827

The story of Stanford

Stanford is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #7,131 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 7,727 American babies have been named Stanford. Its peak came in 1954, when 135 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 Stanford stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Stanford?

The median living Stanford is about 60 years old; half are between 42 and 71. An estimated 4,000 people named Stanford are alive in the United States today.

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

Stanford 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	#7,131
2024	11	#7,688
2023	7	#10,656
2022	21	#4,827
2021	19	#5,083
2020	13	#6,573
2019	7	#10,653
2018	17	#5,509
2017	16	#5,746
2016	12	#7,086
2015	18	#5,261
2014	20	#4,842
2013	15	#5,882
2012	21	#4,656
2011	7	#10,627
2010	16	#5,695
2009	12	#7,171
2008	15	#6,026
2007	14	#6,216
2006	21	#4,492
2005	22	#4,167
2004	19	#4,575
2003	21	#4,087
2002	23	#3,768
2001	21	#3,955
2000	17	#4,538
1995	37	#2,203
1990	36	#2,079
1985	47	#1,449
1980	37	#1,615
1975	53	#1,166
1970	70	#967
1965	99	#748
1960	104	#758
1955	105	#713
1950	119	#635
1945	84	#662
1940	79	#685
1935	86	#639
1930	101	#616
1925	94	#662
1920	97	#644
1915	87	#620
1910	20	#673
1905	6	#1,219
1900	11	#830
1895	6	#1,069
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	6	#898

Famous people named Stanford

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

1 Stanford R. Ovshinsky American engineer, scientist and inventor 1922–2012 · Contemporary
2 Stanford Moore American biochemist (1930–1982) 1913–1982 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Stanford?

The median living Stanford is about 60 years old. Half of all living Stanfords are between 42 and 71 years old.

How many people named Stanford are alive today?

An estimated 4,000 people named Stanford are alive in the United States, based on 7,727 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Stanford mean?

Various placenames from Old English stān (“stone”) + ford (“ford”).

How popular is the name Stanford in 2025?

Stanford ranked #7,131 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 Stanford?

7,727 babies have been named Stanford in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Stanford most popular?

Stanford peaked in 1954, when 135 newborns received the name.

Is Stanford a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Stanford rising or falling?

Stanford is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Stanford?

Well-known people named Stanford include Stanford R. Ovshinsky (inventor), Stanford Moore (chemist).

Names like Stanford

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

Compare Stanford with similar names → More names starting with S →