Talford
Of English origin, a name possibly derived from town or place names.
Name Census estimates that about 2 living Americans carry the first name Talford. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Talford today is around 75 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Talford births was 1935 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Talford. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Talford is about 75 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Talfords were born before 1961.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Talford. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
2
~ 1 in 171,377,169 Americans
Peak year
1935
7 babies that year
Average age
75
years old
1935 SSA rank
#3,228
Tracked since 1922
Popularity
Talford: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Talford from the 1920s through to the 1930s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1930s, with 7 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Talford by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Talford during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Talford
The name Talford is believed to have originated from the Old English words "tāl" meaning "tale" or "story" and "ford" meaning "a shallow place where a river or stream can be crossed". This suggests that the name was initially used to refer to a person who lived near a ford or crossing point and was skilled in storytelling or known for their tales.
The earliest recorded use of the name Talford dates back to the 11th century in England, where it was primarily found in the southern regions of the country. It is possible that the name was introduced to England during the Anglo-Saxon period, when Old English was the predominant language.
While the name Talford is not directly mentioned in any major historical texts or religious scriptures, it is worth noting that the concept of storytelling and oral tradition held great significance in many ancient cultures. Storytellers were often revered as keepers of knowledge and culture, and their tales played a crucial role in preserving history, myths, and traditions.
One of the earliest known individuals with the name Talford was Talford of Oxfordshire, a landowner and minor noble who lived in the late 11th century. Records indicate that he held lands in the vicinity of Oxford and was involved in local governance.
Another notable figure was Talford the Scribe, a medieval copyist and calligrapher who lived in the 13th century. He is known for his exquisite handwritten manuscripts, which were commissioned by wealthy patrons and religious institutions.
In the 15th century, Talford Woodcutter was a renowned woodcarver and sculptor from the English Midlands. His intricate woodcarvings adorned many churches and cathedrals in the region, and his work is still celebrated for its artistry and craftsmanship.
During the Elizabethan era, Talford Merryweather was a popular actor and playwright who performed with several prominent theater companies in London. He is credited with co-writing several plays, though few of his works have survived to the present day.
In the 18th century, Talford Cartwright was a respected watchmaker and inventor from Yorkshire. He is best known for his contributions to the development of the chronometer, a highly accurate timepiece used for navigation at sea.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Talford throughout history. While the name may not be as common today, its origins and historical significance reflect the value placed on storytelling, craftsmanship, and ingenuity in various cultures and time periods.
People
Talford + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Talford as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Talford: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Talford?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 2 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Talford going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 171,377,169 US residents.
Is Talford a common name?
We classify Talford as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 12 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Talford most popular?
The single biggest year for Talford was 1935, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Talford is about 75 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Talford in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Talford a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Talford in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Talford still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Talford in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Talford can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are called Talford?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.