Hanford is a unique and distinctive male given name of English origin. It is derived from the surname Hanford, which is an early habitational name from a lost place called Haneford in Devon, England. The name is believed to have been first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
The meaning of Hanford is associated with its location. Habitational names were often derived from the principal landholder, a prominent geographical feature or a topographical feature. In this case, Hanford is thought to mean "ford by the hedge-enclosed hill", which reflects its geographical location and features.
Historically, Hanford was not a popular name in medieval England, but it has gained some recognition in recent times. It is often associated with the nuclear power plant of the same name located in Washington State, USA. However, this does not appear to have significantly impacted its usage as a given name.
In summary, Hanford is an uncommon yet interesting male given name of English origin. Its meaning is tied to its geographical location and features, reflecting its habitational roots. While it may not be widely used today, Hanford remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking for a less common name for their child.
The name Hanford has a unique history of usage in the United States, with its popularity fluctuating over time. Between 1911 and 1961, there were a total of 338 births registered for this name.
The years 1921 and 1922 marked a significant peak in popularity for Hanford, with 16 births each year. This is notably higher than any other year during this period. Following this peak, the number of births decreased, but it remained relatively consistent throughout the 1920s, averaging around 13 births per year.
In the subsequent decades, the usage of the name Hanford became less common. From the 1930s to the early 1960s, there were fewer than 10 births per year on average, with some years having as few as five births. This indicates that while Hanford was once a popular choice for parents in the United States, it has since become less common.
It's interesting to note that despite its decline in popularity, there have been consistent albeit low numbers of babies named Hanford each year up until 1961. This suggests that even though it may not be as popular as it once was, the name Hanford continues to hold some appeal for parents in the United States.
To summarize, the name Hanford has had a varied history of usage in the United States over the course of five decades. While it experienced periods of popularity, particularly during the 1920s, its overall usage has decreased since then. Nevertheless, Hanford remains present as a chosen name for newborns even today.