Bedford
Every Bedford since 1880 — 1,240 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Bedford
Bedford is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 1,240 American babies have been named Bedford. Its peak came in 1924, when 41 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Bedford stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Bedford year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 5 | #12,593 |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | #12,389 |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #6,618 |
| 1980 | 5 | #6,342 |
| 1975 | 5 | #5,549 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 8 | #3,007 |
| 1960 | 7 | #3,367 |
| 1955 | 20 | #1,730 |
| 1950 | 12 | #2,218 |
| 1945 | 16 | #1,702 |
| 1940 | 20 | #1,522 |
| 1935 | 23 | #1,424 |
| 1930 | 24 | #1,497 |
| 1925 | 30 | #1,335 |
| 1920 | 30 | #1,326 |
| 1915 | 29 | #1,218 |
| 1910 | 6 | #1,436 |
| 1905 | 6 | #1,104 |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | 6 | #989 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 7 | #751 |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Bedford in 2025?
Bedford did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Bedford?
1,240 babies have been named Bedford in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Bedford most popular?
Bedford peaked in 1924, when 41 newborns received the name.
Is Bedford a boy or girl name?
Bedford is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Bedford rising or falling?
Bedford has been roughly stable over the past decade.