Buford is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from an English surname that was originally an occupational name for a carrier or porter. The name is composed of the elements "bufa" meaning buffalo, and "ford" signifying a river crossing. Therefore, the name Buford literally translates to "buffalo ford."
The name Buford has a rich history in American culture. It was popularized by the Union General John Buford during the American Civil War. General Buford played a significant role in the Battle of Gettysburg and is credited with saving the Union Army from certain defeat.
Despite its unique origin and historical significance, Buford has never been particularly common as a given name. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it has never ranked among the top 1000 most popular boy names in the United States. However, it continues to be used occasionally, often as a way to honor military heritage or as an unusual and memorable choice.
In terms of popularity, Buford is more commonly found as a surname rather than a given name. According to ancestry.com, Buford ranks among the most common surnames in several American states, including Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Overall, Buford is a distinctive and historically significant name with an interesting origin story. While it may not be as widely used today as some other names, its unique sound and meaning make it a memorable choice for those who choose to use it.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe several trends regarding the popularity of the name Buford over time in the United States.
From 1880 to 1966, there were significant fluctuations in the number of births with the name Buford each year. The highest peak occurred in 1912 with 108 births, followed by a steady increase until reaching its peak popularity in 1917 with 249 births. After this point, the number of births began to decline steadily.
The years from 1967 to 1993 saw a consistent decrease in the popularity of the name Buford, with an average of around 50 births per year. The lowest point was reached in 1992 and 1994, with only 6 births each year.
Between 1995 and 2023, the name Buford remained relatively uncommon, with an average of fewer than 10 births per year. The most recent data available shows that there were still a small number of babies named Buford born in the United States, with 5 births each year from 2012 to 2016 and again in 2023.
In total, over the time period covered by these statistics, there were 10,848 babies named Buford born in the United States. Despite its peak popularity over a century ago, the name Buford remains a part of American naming traditions today, although it is now much less common than it once was.