Declining since 2014, #5,208 for boys today.
Popularity of Canton since 1988
Babies named Canton per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 49 |
| 2000s | 150 |
| 2010s | 245 |
| 2020s | 89 |
Meaning & origin
Canton entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1988, a relatively late debut for a name that has never broken into widespread use. Its highest rank came in 2015 at number 4,822 (1 in 77,121 newborns), but since 2014 the name has been on a downward trajectory, falling to 5,208th place in 2025 with a 1-in-94,893 frequency. The name's top state is Missouri, where it may reflect local place-name connections. Though not common, Canton offers a crisp, one-syllable sound with a geographical feel, comparable to other surname-inspired given names like Grant or Reid.
Canton is primarily an English surname and place name, derived from the city of Canton (now Guangzhou) in China, or from the English town of Caunton in Nottinghamshire. The latter may come from Old English 'cāf' meaning 'bold' and 'tūn' meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement'. As a given name, it has seen limited but consistent use since the late 20th century, often as a transferred use of the surname or as a stylistic choice.
Where Canton is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Cant, Tony
Sibling names for Canton
Names that share Canton's style, for a brother or sister.
