The first name Bradford

In 2025, 32 boys born in the United States were named Bradford, the 3,522nd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1953, when 779 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Walter Bradford Cannon
  American physiologist (1871-1945)
• Bradford Dillman
  American actor (1930–2018)
• Bradford Young
  American cinematographer, born 1977
• J. Bradford DeLong
  American economist, born 1960
• Bradford Jamieson IV
  American professional soccer player, born 1996
• Bradford Parkinson
  American systems engineer and developer of global positioning system, born 1935
• Bradford Washburn
  American explorer, mountaineer, photographer, and cartographer (1910–2007)
• Bradford Cox
  American musician, born 1982
• Bradford Anderson
  American actor, born 1979
• Bradford Tatum
  American actor, born 1965
• Bradford Bishop
  American on the FBI's Top 10 Most Wanted list, born 1936
• Bradford A. Smith
  American astronomer (1931-2018)

• Tyler
• Alfred
• Blake
• Grayson
• Stanley
• Tom
• Wyatt
• Miles
• Brandon
• Maxwell
• Landon
• Bradley
• Spencer
• Wesley
• Colton
• Hugh

All 216 names of English origin

What does the name Bradford mean?

Bradford means “broad”, “ford” in English.

What is the origin of the name Bradford?

* Various place names in England, from Old English brād (“broad”) + ford (“ford”). * (shaken martini)

Is Bradford a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 32,114 US babies named Bradford since 1880 were boys.

When was Bradford most popular?

1953 in the United States, when 779 babies were named Bradford, its highest rank at 240th.

How do you pronounce Bradford?

Bradford is /ˈbɹædfɚd/, 2 syllables.

Is Bradford also a surname?

Yes. Bradford is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.