Ford Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Ford is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Ford?
Ford is spelled F-O-R-D. The name has 4 letters.
Ford at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- The name “Ford” denotes a shallow place in a river or stream where it can be crossed by wading or a vehicle.
- Origin
- The name “Ford” is of Old English origin, deriving from the word “ford” meaning a river crossing.
- Pronunciation
- FORD · 1 syllable
Ford Popularity in 2025
Rank#474
Recorded Births642
- Boys usage rose 96 places to #474 and recorded 135 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Ford Mean?
The name “Ford” denotes a shallow place in a river or stream where it can be crossed by wading or a vehicle.
Origin: The name “Ford” is of Old English origin, deriving from the word “ford” meaning a river crossing.
How Do You Pronounce Ford?
PronunciationFORD
Syllables1
What Is the History of the Name Ford?
- History
- “Ford” as a surname likely originated as a topographic name for someone living near a river crossing; its use as a given name developed later.
Ford Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2005 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Boys | 642 | #474 |
| 2024 | Boys | 507 | #570 |
| 2023 | Boys | 564 | #523 |
| 2022 | Boys | 649 | #476 |
| 2021 | Boys | 707 | #439 |
| 2020 | Boys | 647 | #459 |
| 2019 | Girls | 6 | #13,799 |
| 2019 | Boys | 497 | #562 |
| 2018 | Girls | 6 | #13,793 |
| 2018 | Boys | 417 | #635 |
| 2017 | Boys | 344 | #711 |
| 2016 | Boys | 342 | #714 |
| 2015 | Girls | 5 | #16,419 |
| 2015 | Boys | 327 | #741 |
| 2014 | Boys | 245 | #884 |
| 2013 | Boys | 183 | #1,047 |
| 2012 | Boys | 171 | #1,090 |
| 2011 | Boys | 139 | #1,244 |
| 2010 | Boys | 101 | #1,565 |
| 2009 | Boys | 94 | #1,665 |
| 2008 | Boys | 87 | #1,736 |
| 2007 | Boys | 66 | #2,071 |
| 2006 | Boys | 88 | #1,627 |
| 2005 | Boys | 62 | #2,008 |
When Was Ford Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2021 · Boys
707 recorded births
National rank #439
2022 · Boys
649 recorded births
National rank #476
2020 · Boys
647 recorded births
National rank #459
2025 · Boys
642 recorded births
National rank #474
Where Ford Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| UT | #158 | 34 |
| MT | #227 | 5 |
| CO | #272 | 24 |
| MI | #330 | 27 |
| ID | #332 | 7 |
| IA | #346 | 10 |
| AZ | #376 | 20 |
| NC | #381 | 29 |