"village at the ford; river-crossing settlement"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Fordham
Pronunciation: [ f-AWRD-uhm ]
Does Fordham flow with your last name?
A sturdy English place-name with Ivy League associations
English
American
Preppy
Academic
Strong
Surname Style
American
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The Story of Fordham
Fordham is an Old English surname and place name derived from 'ford' (a shallow river crossing) and 'ham' (a homestead or village settlement), literally meaning 'the village at the ford.' There are several Fordham places in England, including villages in Cambridgeshire, Essex, and Norfolk, each historically located near river crossings. The name was carried to America where it became associated with the Fordham neighborhood in the Bronx, New York, home to the prestigious Fordham University founded by Jesuits in 1841.
Fordham as a given name is rare, emerging in the trend of using distinguished academic or place surnames as first names, riding the popularity of surnames-as-first-names like Hudson, Lincoln, and Harrison.
Fordham University, a Jesuit institution in New York City, gives this surname-name an air of Catholic academic prestige and urban sophistication among American name enthusiasts.
Historical Record
Fordham first appeared in US Social Security records in 2015.
Over 67 babies have been named Fordham in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Fordham is a new entry on the US charts , currently ranked #24,548 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Fordham University in the Bronx, New York, was founded in 1841 and is one of America's oldest Jesuit universities
- The Fordham neighborhood in the Bronx takes its name from the old English village name
Fordham in Other Languages
Latin
Forum ad Vadum
Old English
Fordham
Popularity Over Time
#24,548
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Fordham
F
Fordham University
Other
Prestigious Jesuit university founded in 1841 in the Bronx, New York, lending the name academic prestige
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Compare Fordham with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #24,548
- Total SSA Count
- 6
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ford
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Fordham
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Fitzwilliam
Boy
Anglo-Norman origin
"son of William"
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Boy
Chinese origin
"abundant forest or precious jade"
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Old German origin
"noble, nobility"
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English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Fordham
What does the name Fordham mean?
"village at the ford; river-crossing settlement" (from Old English). Fordham is an Old English surname and place name derived from 'ford' (a shallow river crossing) and 'ham' (a homestead or village settlement), literally meaning 'the village at the ford.' There are several Fordham places in England, including villages in Cambridgeshire, Essex, and Norfolk, each historically located near river crossings. The name was carried to America where it became associated with the Fordham neighborhood in the Bronx, New York, home to the prestigious Fordham University founded by Jesuits in 1841.
What is the origin of the name Fordham?
Fordham has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "village at the ford; river-crossing settlement".
Is Fordham a boy or girl name?
Fordham is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Fordham?
Fordham is pronounced f-AWRD-uhm.
How popular is the name Fordham?
Fordham is currently ranked #24548 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Fordham?
Common nicknames for Fordham include Ford.
What are good middle names for Fordham?
Popular middle name pairings include Fordham James, Fordham William, Fordham Henry, Fordham Thomas, and Fordham Charles.
What are good sibling names for Fordham?
Names that pair well with Fordham as siblings include Harrison, Lincoln, Carter, and Spencer.
How many syllables does Fordham have?
Fordham has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Fordham a common or rare name?
Fordham is an uncommon name, ranked #24548 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Fordham?
Are there other spellings for Fordham?
Related spellings include Ford.
About the Name Fordham
Fordham is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "village at the ford; river-crossing settlement" in Old English .
Fordham is currently ranked #24,548 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Fordham has 2 syllables and is pronounced f-AWRD-uhm, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Fordham include Ford. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Fordham include Ford . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis