Rutherford is a name of Scottish origin, derived from the Old English words "hryð" meaning strong or powerful, and "ford" meaning ford or crossing. Therefore, Rutherford translates to "strong ford" or "powerful crossing." The name is associated with several notable figures throughout history, including the physicist Ernest Rutherford, who was born in New Zealand but moved to England for his studies. He is considered one of the founding fathers of nuclear physics and won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908. Despite its Scottish origins, Rutherford has been used as a given name more commonly in other English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States. However, it remains relatively uncommon compared to other names with Scottish roots like Alexander or Duncan. In terms of popularity, Rutherford has never made it into the top 1000 most popular boy names in the United States since record-keeping began in 1880. Nevertheless, it continues to be used occasionally and carries a unique and powerful meaning behind it.
The name Rutherford has been a consistent presence in the United States over the past century and a half, with a total of 729 babies being named Rutherford since 1880.
While it is difficult to pinpoint an exact trend due to the varied nature of the data, there are some notable fluctuations throughout history. The name seemed to gain popularity during the early 20th century, peaking between 1915 and 1924 with a total of 136 births. During this period, Rutherford was particularly popular in 1921 with 25 births.
Interestingly, after a significant decrease following World War II, the name saw another resurgence in recent years. Between 2018 and 2023, there were a total of 46 births, marking a notable increase from the previous decade.
Despite these fluctuations, Rutherford remains a unique and distinctive name, reflecting the diversity and rich history of naming traditions in the United States. It is important to note that while popularity can influence parents' decisions when choosing a name, ultimately, each name brings its own charm and character to a child's identity.