Milford
Milford is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Ford by the mill, or crossing near a mill.
Origin and history
Milford is a masculine name derived from Old English place names meaning ford by the mill. It enjoyed steady usage as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. Today, it is quite rare as a newborn name, often chosen for its traditional, surname-as-a-given-name appeal.
Popularity in the United States
8,198 babies in the United States have been named Milford since 1880. It ranks #1339 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1921.
States where it is most popular
- AL (9.2 %)
- NY (8.9 %)
- PA (7.8 %)
- MO (7.5 %)
- TX (7.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 93 |
| 1890-1900 | 133 |
| 1900-1910 | 226 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,487 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,172 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,472 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,131 |
| 1950-1960 | 701 |
| 1960-1970 | 415 |
| 1970-1980 | 211 |
| 1980-1990 | 110 |
| 1990-2000 | 35 |
| 2000-2010 | 6 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 6 |
Famous people named Milford
- Milford Graves: Musician, Drummer
- Milford Zornes: Painter, Artist
Nicknames
Mel
Fun facts
- The name originally referred to individuals living near a river crossing where a grain mill stood.
- Milford saw its highest usage in the United States during the early 1900s.