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Redford

Pronunciation: [ r-EHDF-erd ]

Boy Name #5,770 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A distinguished English surname meaning red river crossing

English American
Strong Vintage Classic Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"dweller by the red river crossing"
Origin: Old English
Language: English

The Story of Redford

Redford is an English surname transferred to use as a first name. As a place name, it combines the Old English 'read' (red) and 'ford' (a shallow river crossing), describing a location where the water or the surrounding earth had a reddish hue. Several villages in England are named Redford. The name follows a strong tradition of English topographical surnames — names derived from geographical features — being used as distinguished first names.

Redford as a first name is primarily associated with the legendary American actor and director Robert Redford, whose fame gave the surname a glamorous, Hollywood-golden quality. Parents drawn to strong, surname-style names with old-world English feel have been choosing Redford with increasing frequency alongside similar names like Crawford, Clifford, and Hudson.

Robert Redford defined an era of American cinema in the 1970s-1990s and became a symbol of rugged, principled masculinity. Using Redford as a first name carries a whisper of Hollywood prestige combined with English aristocratic gravitas.

Fun Facts

  • Robert Redford is a two-time Academy Award winner (director and honorary Oscar) who also founded the Sundance Film Festival
  • Several villages in Scotland and England bear the place name Redford
  • The 'ford' in English surnames like Redford, Bradford, and Rutherford all refer to ancient river crossings

Redford in Other Languages

French Redford
German Redford
English Redford
Old English Readforda

Popularity Over Time

#5,770
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem Based on SSA data 1880–present

Famous People Named Redford

R

Redford White

Actor

1958

Filipino character actor known for his versatility in Philippine cinema and television

R

Robert Redford

Actor

1936

Legendary American actor and director known for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President's Men, and founder...

Legendary American actor and director known for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President's Men, and founder of the Sundance Film Festival

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#5,770
Total SSA Count
16
Cultural Origins
English American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Common Nicknames

Red Ford

Middle Name Ideas

Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style

Sibling Names

Crawford Bradford Sutton Monroe Waverly Harlow

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Similar Names

Clifford Clifton Crawford Bradford Stafford

Compare Redford with...

Redford vs Clifford Redford vs Clifton Redford vs Crawford Redford vs Bradford

Same Origin Names (English)

Liam #1 Olivia #1 Noah #2 Emma #2 Oliver #3 Amelia #3 Theodore #4 Charlotte #4

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Redford

What does the name Redford mean?
"dweller by the red river crossing" (from Old English). Redford is an English surname transferred to use as a first name. As a place name, it combines the Old English 'read' (red) and 'ford' (a shallow river crossing), describing a location where the water or the surrounding earth had a reddish hue. Several villages in England are named Redford. The name follows a strong tradition of English topographical surnames — names derived from geographical features — being used as distinguished first names.
What is the origin of the name Redford?
Redford has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "dweller by the red river crossing".
Is Redford a boy or girl name?
Redford is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Redford?
Redford is pronounced r-EHDF-erd.
How popular is the name Redford?
Redford is currently ranked #5770 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Redford?
Common nicknames for Redford include Red and Ford.
What are good middle names for Redford?
Popular middle name pairings include Redford James, Redford Lee, Redford Paul, Redford Charles, Redford Alexander, and Redford Dean.
What are good sibling names for Redford?
Names that pair well with Redford as siblings include Crawford, Bradford, Sutton, Monroe, Waverly, and Harlow.
How many syllables does Redford have?
Redford has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Redford a common or rare name?
Redford is an uncommon name, ranked #5770 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Redford

Redford is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "dweller by the red river crossing" in Old English .

Redford is currently ranked #5,770 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Redford has 2 syllables and is pronounced r-EHDF-erd, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Redford include Red and Ford. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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