Bradford
Bradford Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
/ˈbɹæd.fəɹd/
Meaning of Bradford: Bradford is an English place name composed of Old English brad (broad, wide) and ford (a shallow river crossing)—meaning “broad ford” or “wide ford.” Several places in England are named Bradford.
Most notably Bradford in the West Riding of Yorkshire, one of England’s major industrial cities from the 18th century onward.
The surname Bradford developed from families associated with these places and was carried to North America by English settlers from the 17th century.
What Does Bradford Mean? Origin & Etymology
William Bradford (1590–1657) is the name’s most historically significant American bearer. Born in Yorkshire, Bradford sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 and helped lead the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, serving as its governor for 30 of the colony’s first 36 years.
His manuscript history Of Plymouth Plantation, written between 1620 and 1647, is the primary historical source for the Pilgrim settlement and contains the earliest account of the first Thanksgiving. Bradford is one of the founding figures of American colonial history.
Bradford peaked in US SSA records in 1968, reflecting both the American tradition of honoring colonial heritage through naming and the broader 1960s fashion for two-syllable British place-name surnames.
The short form Brad separated as an independent popular name in the same era. Bradford sits within the group of Yorkshire and northern English place names—alongside Bingley, Halifax, and Harrogate—that found occasional use as American given names through the 19th and 20th centuries.
Further reading: etymology records and US popularity records from SSA.
Numerology & Symbolism of Bradford
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Bradford – Similar Names & Alternatives
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity
Frequently Asked Questions about Bradford
What does the name Bradford mean?
Bradford derives from an Old English place name composed of brad meaning 'broad' and ford meaning 'river crossing.' It originated as a surname from various English towns named Bradford, most notably Bradford in West Yorkshire. As a given name it is a classic American surname transfer.
Is Bradford a popular name?
Bradford appears on US SSA records with low but consistent frequency, never reaching the top 200. It remains a recognizable given name, particularly in families preserving a maternal or paternal surname. The short form Brad has historically been more common as a standalone name.
Is Bradford a boy or girl name?
What are similar names to Bradford?
How do you pronounce Bradford?
Bradford is pronounced BRAD-ferd, with stress on the first syllable. The 'o' in the second syllable is reduced to a schwa sound in natural speech, giving it a crisp two-syllable rhythm.