Melford
Every Melford since 1904 — 1,175 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Melford
Melford 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 1904, 1,175 American babies have been named Melford. Its peak came in 1921, when 46 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 Melford stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Melford 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 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | 7 | #4,630 |
| 1970 | 5 | #5,199 |
| 1965 | 6 | #3,795 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 13 | #2,278 |
| 1950 | 15 | #1,996 |
| 1945 | 19 | #1,560 |
| 1940 | 15 | #1,868 |
| 1935 | 20 | #1,573 |
| 1930 | 27 | #1,413 |
| 1925 | 40 | #1,114 |
| 1920 | 24 | #1,577 |
| 1915 | 16 | #1,855 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Melford in 2025?
Melford 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 Melford?
1,175 babies have been named Melford in the United States since 1904, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Melford most popular?
Melford peaked in 1921, when 46 newborns received the name.
Is Melford a boy or girl name?
Melford is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Melford rising or falling?
Melford has been roughly stable over the past decade.