How Many People Are Named Sanford?
Complete statistics for the name Sanford: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Sanford means 'sandy ford' and is very rare, with only 1 in 59,326 Americans bearing this name. There are around 5,562 people named Sanford living today, making it a unique choice. The majority of Sanford's, 87%, are over 60, giving the name a distinctly older-generation feel.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 5 symbolizes freedom, adventure, and versatility.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 85All 15,001 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1929Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Sanford Through the Generations
Sanford peaked in popularity in 1929 with 315 births, reflecting a time when classic names were favored. Today, the name is experiencing a resurgence, though it remains relatively uncommon. With an average age of 85, Sanford is predominantly held by older individuals, with just 367 under the age of 30. This generational skew suggests that Sanford is cherished among older generations, possibly due to its traditional and dignified connotations.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Sanford
Sanford is a male given name of Old English origin, meaning "sandy ford". Notable people with the name include:Sanford Barsky, American professor of pathology Sanford Bates (1884–1972), American penologist, administrator and author Sanford Berman, American librarian Sanford I. Berman (1924–2015), American philanthropist and author Sanford Dennis Biggar, Canadian politician Sanford Augustus Brookins (1877–1968), American architect and builder Sanford Diller (1928–2018), American billionaire Sanford Biggers, American artist Sanford Bishop, American politician Sanford Bookstaver, American televis…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Sanford's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Sanford
How Many People Have the Name Sanford?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 34,723 people in the United States currently share the name Sanford. That works out to roughly 1 in every 9,546 Americans, placing it in the Uncommon category.
Is Sanford a Common or Rare Name?
Sanford is classified as Uncommon. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Sanford Mean?
Sanford means "sandy ford" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Sanford in SSA data, approximately 100% are male and 0% are female.
When Was Sanford Most Popular?
The name Sanford reached peak popularity in 1929, with 315 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Sanford?
Approximately 34,723 people named Sanford live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 34,723. That works out to roughly 1 in 9,546 Americans.
Is Sanford a rare name?
Sanford is classified as Uncommon in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 9,546 Americans has this name.
What does the name Sanford mean?
Sanford means "sandy ford" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Sanford more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 100% of people named Sanford are male and 0% are female.
When was Sanford most popular?
Sanford peaked in 1929 with 315 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.