Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
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
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
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
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 (2 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 2 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
21.89% 310th/1416 |
13.49% 186th/1379 |
10.36% 245th/2366 |
41.42% 473rd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
20.05% 310th/1546 |
12.21% 190th/1556 |
8.58% 202nd/2353 |
29.02% 449th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
17.06% 380th/2227 |
10.37% 252nd/2430 |
7.12% 203rd/2853 |
15.82% 439th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
14.64% 430th/2937 |
8.87% 309th/3483 |
7.33% 258th/3518 |
14.74% 596th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
14.25% 525th/3685 |
9.85% 441st/4475 |
6.85% 356th/5194 |
13.15% 831st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
26.60% 1219th/4582 |
23.66% 1222nd/5164 |
10.64% 778th/7313 |
25.79% 1925th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
64.48% 2569th/3984 |
59.22% 2657th/4487 |
24.25% 1654th/6822 |
57.33% 3598th/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
100.00% 3483rd/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in District of Columbia across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 267th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 245th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 265th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 349th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 474th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1028th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2123rd out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 6167th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5597th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5721st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8267th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 13048th out of 27321 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.