Raeford

“A beloved name with deep roots”

American origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#1573US 2023

627Births / yr

→Stable

613All-time births

📅 Since 191400

How to pronounce Raeford

RAY·FAWRD

/ˈreɪ.ˈfɔrd/ · stress on RAY · 2 syllables

“A beloved name with deep roots”

American origin · Boy name

What does Raeford mean and where does it come from?

Raeford is a place name derived from a combination of Old English and local history. It is notably recognized as a city in North Carolina, USA, established during the early 20th century. The name may be interpreted as 'ford by the roe deer', with 'rae' suggesting 'roe' and 'ford' indicating a shallo

Cultural significance

Raeford has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of a beloved name with deep roots.

Peak popularity

Reached #1525 in 1941 — currently #1573 in the US.

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How else can you spell Raeford?

Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive

Reaford

Spelling variant

What middle names flow best with Raeford?

Raeford works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Raeford Grace

How popular is Raeford right now?

Holding steady — currently #1573 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1915–2023#1573 · Top 1.2%

1915

1920

1925

1930

1935

1940

1945

1950

1955

1970

1975

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#1573	627	▲ up 5 · +3% births
2022	#1578	607	▲ up 5 · +5% births
2021	#1583	577	▲ up 2855 · +8143% births
1975	#4438	7	▼ down 478
1970	#3960	7	▼ down 857 · -12% births
1955	#3103	8	▼ down 1177 · -50% births
1950	#1926	16	▲ up 991 · +129% births
1945	#2917	7	▼ down 108 · -12% births
1940	#2809	8	▼ down 794 · -43% births
1935	#2015	14	▼ down 324 · -30% births
1930	#1691	20	▲ up 1028 · +82% births
1925	#2719	11	▲ up 981 · +57% births
1920	#3700	7	▼ down 675 · -12% births
1915	#3025	8	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Raeford

Best Year2023Rank #1573

Peak Count627

Average Rank#2646

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1915 - 202314 years

The story of Raeford

Raeford entered American naming records in 1914 and has been in use for over 110 years. With 613 total births recorded, Raeford remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #3025 in 1915 to #1573 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Raeford in 1941:

James Robert John William Richard

Raeford by decade

Raeford peaked in the 1940s. See all 1940s names →

Decade	Births
1910s	57
1920s	122
1930s	118
1940s ★	132
1950s	117
1960s	35
1970s	25
1980s	7

💎Raeford has only 613 total recorded births since 1914 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Raeford?

Common

RaeRaefRaefieRaefyEford

What names sound and feel like Raeford?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Raeford also consider these

Raiford

American · Derived from the

Raford

American · A variation of

Rayford

American · Scottish

Ranford

English · the ford where

Radford

England · Red ford

Manford

American · man from the

Malford

American · Possibly derived from

Alford

American · From the elf's

Common questions about the name Raeford

What does the name Raeford mean?

Raeford means "A beloved name with deep roots" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Raeford?

Raeford is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.

What is the cultural origin of Raeford?

Raeford originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Raeford?

Raeford is a two-syllable name pronounced R EY1 F AO1 R D. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Raeford a common or rare name?

Raeford is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.