The first name Wilford
A boy’s name.
2 syllables Male Also a surname
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
Wilford last appeared in the official list in 2024, given to 3 boys.
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Wilford with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Wilford at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 9 boys born in the United States were named Wilford, the 8,872nd most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1926, when 276 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.
Famous people named Wilford
6 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Wilford BrimleyAmerican actor and singer (1934–2020)
- Wilford Horace SmithAfrican-American lawyer, 1863–1926
- Wilford LeachAmerican film director (1929–1988)
- Alma RichardsAmerican Olympic high jump gold medalist athlete, soldier, lawyer and teacher (1890–1963)
- Jesse W. RenoAmerican inventor (1861–1947)
- Little Brother MontgomeryAmerican jazz, boogie-woogie and blues pianist and singer (1906–1985)
Questions
- How popular is the name Wilford?
- In 2024, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Wilford, ranking 5,119th.
- Is Wilford a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 10,447 US babies named Wilford since 1880 were boys.
- When was Wilford most popular?
- 1926 in the United States, when 276 babies were named Wilford, its highest rank at 349th.
- Is Wilford also a surname?
- Yes. Wilford is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.