Ford is an English masculine given name derived from a surname, which itself originated as a place name referring to a river crossing (from Old English ford “ford”). The surname was typically topographic, given to someone who lived near a ford, or occasionally locational for someone from any of various settlements named Ford. Notable Bearers The most famous bearer of the surname is the pioneering American industrialist Henry Ford (1863–1947), the founder of the Ford Motor Company. As a given name, Ford has been used in tribute to his legacy and has modern associations with strength and reliability. Other notable individuals include Ford Madox Ford (1873–1939), the English novelist and editor, and Ford Frick (1894–1978), the commissioner of Major League Baseball. In popular culture, the actor Harrison Ford and model/entrepreneurelle Ford (1971–2018) further popularized the name. Usage Ford ranks among the less common given names in the English-speaking world. Its usage is predominantly American, though it appears in other English-speaking countries. The name is often chosen for its straightforward, surname-as-first-name quality or as an homage to Ford automobiles. Facts Summary Meaning: Ford (river crossing) Gender: Masculine Origin: English surname derived from Old English place name Type: transferred use of surname Primary usage regions: United States, United Kingdom Notable reference: Henry Ford (industrialist)