Stanford
Various placenames from Old English stān (“stone”) + ford (“ford”).
Every Stanford since 1880 — 7,727 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
- Stanford Moore Chemist · 1913–1982
- Stanford R. Ovshinsky Inventor · 1922–2012
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
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 Moore (chemist), Stanford R. Ovshinsky (inventor).