Boy · 474th of 16,616
Carlton
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
49,124
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1957
Peak Popularity Year
962
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Carlton stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Carlton is an Old English name that means 'the settlement of free men'. It evolved from the name Ceorlton and has maintained its connection to themes of freedom and community. It has no biblical relevance. The name gained popularity in the 19th century and is currently perceived as classic and sophisticated, with notable associations in popular culture.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkɑːrltən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Carlton is derived from the Old English elements 'ceorl', meaning 'free man', and 'tun', meaning 'settlement' or 'enclosure'. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'the settlement of free men'.
Meaning
the settlement of free men
Language Evolution
Ceorlton, Carlton
Historical Usage
Carlton became more common as a given name in the 19th century, influenced by its use as a surname and its association with various places in England.
Variants & Derivatives
Carl, Carlie, Carly
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Carlton is seen as a classic name with a sophisticated image, often associated with the character Carlton Banks from the television show 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'.
Famous People
Carlton Banks (fictional character), Carlton Cuse (television producer), Carlton Cole (former professional footballer)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 962 peak births in 1957
Geographic Spread
Popular across 44 US states, with strongest presence in District of Columbia
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 267th of 7545 | 6,914 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 245th of 6773 | 9,125 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 265th of 7552 | 14,202 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 349th of 10718 | 8,289 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 474th of 16616 | 6,350 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1028th of 24088 | 2,673 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2123rd of 23106 | 807 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6167th of 9107 | 27 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5597th of 9204 | 39 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 5721st of 12526 | 85 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 8267th of 19264 | 70 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 13048th of 27321 | 56 |