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Origin & history of Wilford1
English roots
Wilford is an English name that originated from the Old English words wilig meaning strong and ford meaning ford or stream . The name Wilford has been in use since the Middle Ages and was initially used as a surname. Wilford is also a place name, with several locations around the world bearing the name, including Wilford, Nottinghamshire, England, and Wilford, Minnesota, USA. The name Wilford has been associated with several notable people throughout history, including Wilford Brimley, an American actor and musician, and Wilford Woodruff, an American religious leader and fourth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wilford is a unique and uncommon name, with only a few hundred people in the United States bearing the name, according to the Social Security Administration. Despite its rarity, the name Wilford has been steadily rising in popularity in recent years, with a 100% increase in usage between 2014 and 2019, according to the Baby Center. Wilford is a versatile name that can be shortened to several nicknames, including Will, Willy, and Ford. The name Wilford has a strong, masculine sound, making it a popular choice for parents looking for a traditional yet distinctive name for their son. Wilford has also been used as a surname in several cultures, including English, Scottish, and Irish. The name Wilford has been associated with several positive traits, including strength, resilience, and determination, making it a meaningful and inspiring choice for parents.
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Root name
The root form of Wilford is
Wilford — meaning From Wilford, A Willow Ford.
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Modern usage
Wilford remains a beloved choice. Timeless appeal across cultures and generations.
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How popular is Wilford?
1926
peak year
The name Wilford reached its peak in 1926, with 276 registrations (ranked #349). It first surfaced in U.S. records in 1880, roughly 46 years before its peak. Since the peak, the name has eased to well outside the top 1,000 (around #10180) today, averaging about 8 new babies per year. Wilford's usage has held roughly steady recently. Across all years on record, approximately 10,438 American babies have carried this name.
Year-by-year registrations
1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
276
Babies named in peak year
(ranked #349)
(ranked #349)
8
Avg. per year
(last decade)
(last decade)
80
Total registrations
last 10 years
last 10 years
10,438
All-time total
(since 1880)
(since 1880)
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Numerology of Wilford6
Life path number
The Nurturer
Nurturing, love and responsibility.
❤️Nurturing
🏡Home-centred
⚖️Just
🌸Generous
W5
I9
L3
F6
O6
R9
D4
Sum: 42 → Life path 6
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Personality of Wilford❤️
Nurturing heart
They notice when someone is struggling before anyone else.
🏡
Creates warmth
Their circle is warmer for their presence.
⚖️
Strong morals
They know what's right and stand by it.
🌸
Quietly selfless
They give and give, often without realising how much.
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Names that sound like WilfordIf you love Wilford, you might love these names with a similar sound, rhythm or feel.
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Names that combine with WilfordSibling pairings that share the timeless, classic energy of Wilford.
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Middle names for WilfordThe right middle name turns Wilford into a complete story. Explore options for first-and-middle pairings, then last-name flow.
Want a personalised middle name for Wilford? Try our dedicated generator with 1,000+ pairings.
♡ Generate middle name for Wilford →✦
Numerology life path calculatorEnter any full name and date of birth to discover the life path number — a core numerological indicator of personality, purpose and destiny.
First name
Middle name (optional)
Last name
Date of birth
7
Life path number
How we calculated this
Wilford is a beautiful choice.
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