name
Common
Stanford
STAN-fuhrd
Stanford (name) means an English surname and place name, and (capitalized) the name of a prestigious private university in California. Example: “She was accepted into Stanford University.”
name
1
An English surname and place name, and (capitalized) the name of a prestigious private university in California.
"She was accepted into Stanford University."
How to use Stanford
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly known today as the name of Stanford University in California.
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She was accepted into _____ University.
Etymology
From Old English stān ("stone") + ford, describing a stony river crossing. The university was named after Leland Stanford Jr., son of the railroad magnate who founded it in his memory.
Rhymes for Stanford
See all rhymes for Stanford →Frequently asked questions
What does “Stanford” mean?
The word “Stanford” means an English surname and place name, and (capitalized) the name of a prestigious private university in California. In plain terms, most commonly known today as the name of Stanford University in California.
How do you pronounce “Stanford”?
“Stanford” is pronounced STAN-fuhrd (/ˈstænfəɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “Stanford” in a sentence?
Here is “Stanford” used in a sentence: “She was accepted into Stanford University.”
What part of speech is “Stanford”?
“Stanford” is a name.
Where does the word “Stanford” come from?
The word “Stanford” comes from Old English. From Old English stān ("stone") + ford, describing a stony river crossing. The university was named after Leland Stanford Jr., son of the railroad magnate who founded it in his memory.
Is “Stanford” a common word?
“Stanford” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "Stanford" and "Stamford"?
"Stanford" and "Stamford" are different names that are often confused because they sound alike. Stanford is best known as a university in California and as an English surname, while Stamford names towns such as Stamford in Lincolnshire, England, and Stamford, Connecticut. The key difference is the middle letter: Stanford has an "n," Stamford has an "m."
Is "Stanford" a first name or a surname?
"Stanford" is chiefly an English surname and place name, but it is also occasionally used as a masculine given name. As a proper noun it is always capitalised. Context usually makes clear whether it refers to a person, a place, or the university.
Should "Stanford" always be capitalised?
Yes. Because "Stanford" is a proper noun naming a specific person, place, or institution, it is always written with a capital S. This holds true whether it appears at the start of a sentence or in the middle.
