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Woodford

♂ Boy

Pronounced WUUD-furd /ˈwʊd.fərd/High

Meaning: From English place names meaning 'the ford by the wood' — a river crossing beside woodland — found in Essex, Northamptonshire and elsewhere, and carried into surname and occasional first-name use.Medium

In 30 seconds: A landscape name: Woodford means 'the ford by the wood' (said 'WUUD-furd'). English, sturdy, and rare.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningFrom English place names meaning 'the ford by the wood' — a river crossing beside woodland — found in Essex, Northamptonshire and elsewhere, and carried into surname and occasional first-name use.

U.S. rank (2023)#14084 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1916

Total births (all-time)≈ 570

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Woodford is one of those English names that describes exactly where a village stood: the ford by the wood. Several Woodfords exist across England, and families who came from them took the name with them. As a given name it is rare and old-fashioned in a pleasing way, with a clear picture inside it (said 'WUUD-furd').

It appears only extremely rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, English, and pictorial.

Did you know? Woodford is a real English place name — 'the ford by the wood,' a river crossing beside woodland — found in several counties and carried into family names (said 'WUUD-furd').

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Woodford — English place name 'ford by the wood'

Variations

WoodfordeWoofordWoodfield

Nicknames

WoodyFord

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Woodford…

Ford— the crossing word inside Woodford

Woodrow— a like Wood- rooted English name

Bradford— a like -ford place surname

Clifford— a like landscape surname pick

Explore names like Woodford

By themeenglish nature place-name surname

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Woodford mean?

Woodford is an English place name and surname meaning 'the ford by the wood' — a river crossing beside woodland.

How do you pronounce Woodford?

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

Is Woodford a boy or girl name?

Woodford is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Woodford?

Woodford is an extremely rare name for boys in the U.S.