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Home › Baby Names Directory › Stafford

Stafford

♂ Boy

Pronounced STAF-ərd /ˈstæf.ərd/High

Meaning: From the English place-name/surname Stafford — from Old English staeth, 'a landing place, a staithe', plus ford, 'a river crossing'; 'a ford by the landing place'Low

In 30 seconds: A ford by the landing place: Stafford is an English surname — 'a ford by the staithe'. Crisp, distinguished, and warm.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English place-name/surname Stafford — from Old English staeth, 'a landing place, a staithe', plus ford, 'a river crossing'; 'a ford by the landing place'
U.S. rank (2024)#6401 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births14 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1959
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,822

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195918822024

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

Stafford comes from the English place-name and surname Stafford — from Old English staeth, 'a landing place, a staithe', plus ford, 'a river crossing' — 'a ford by the landing place'. A crisp, distinguished surname-name (nickname Staff).

In the U.S. it appears as a surname-name. Rare, a-ford-by-the-landing-place at the root, and distinguished.

Did you know? Stafford means 'a ford by the landing place; a ford by the staithe' (Old English staeth, 'a landing place', plus ford, 'a crossing') — a crisp, distinguished surname-name (said 'STAF-ərd').
Overall data confidence 58%
References — Stafford — place-name etymology

Variations

StafordStaffard

Nicknames

Staff

Famous Bearers

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If you like Stafford…

Crawford— a companion -ford surname boys' name
Bradford— a sound-neighbor -ford boys' name
Sheppard— shares the -rd ending
Sanford— shares the -rd ending
Shepherd— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Stafford

By themeenglishsurname-nameplace-nameriver
By meaningSea / Water

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Stafford mean?

Stafford is an English surname — 'a ford by the landing place; a ford by the staithe'.

How do you pronounce Stafford?

It's said STAF-ərd /ˈstæf.ərd/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Stafford a boy or girl name?

Stafford is a boy's name.

How popular is Stafford?

Stafford is a rare name in the U.S.

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