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Home › Baby Names Directory › Buford

Buford

♂ Boy

Pronounced BYOO-furd /ˈbjuː.fərd/Medium

Meaning: From the English surname and place-name Buford, generally 'the ford (river-crossing) by the burh (fortified place)' or a river-crossing name. A vintage surname pick. Noted honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: A vintage surname name: Buford means 'ford by the fortified place' (said 'BYOO-furd'). Rugged and old-timey.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English surname and place-name Buford, generally 'the ford (river-crossing) by the burh (fortified place)' or a river-crossing name. A vintage surname pick. Noted honestly.
U.S. rank (2023)#12525 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 10,848

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118802023

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Buford is an English surname and place-name, usually 'the ford (river-crossing) by the burh (fortified place).' It reads vintage and rugged — rare in the U.S. (said 'BYOO-furd').

In the U.S. it appears only rarely today. Rare, surname-style, and vintage.

Did you know? Buford comes from the English surname and place-name, generally 'the ford by the fortified place' — a rugged, old-timey surname pick, noted honestly (said 'BYOO-furd').
Overall data confidence 46%
References — Buford — English surname/place; 'ford by the fortified place'

Variations

BeaufordBuffordBuferd

Nicknames

BuFord

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Buford…

Crawford— a like -ford surname name
Buck— a like rugged vintage name
Clifford— lands in the same popularity range
Ballard— shares the -rd ending
Kennard— shares Buford's English roots

Explore names like Buford

By themeplace-namevintagesurnamerugged

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Buford mean?

Buford is an English surname and place-name, usually 'the ford by the fortified place.'

How do you pronounce Buford?

It's said BYOO-furd /ˈbjuː.fərd/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Buford a boy or girl name?

Buford is a boy's name.

How popular is Buford?

Buford is rare in the U.S.

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