US Popularity Rank: 21947

Origin: British

Meaning: Stone ford

Stanford is a surname and boy’s given name of English origin. The name of multiple places in England, it combines the Old English word stan, meaning “stone” or “rock,” with “ford,” resulting in “stone ford.” As a surname, it originated as a habitational name for someone from one of these places. Today, the name Stanford is most commonly associated with Stanford University, giving the name an intellectual air. You may opt to shorten it to Stan or Ford for a more casual nickname.