Declining since 1990, #2,884 for boys today.
Popularity of Carlton since 1880
Babies named Carlton per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1957, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Carlton's real moment was 1937.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 190 |
| 1890s | 259 |
| 1900s | 451 |
| 1910s | 2,840 |
| 1920s | 4,714 |
| 1930s | 5,021 |
| 1940s | 5,361 |
| 1950s | 7,920 |
| 1960s | 6,985 |
| 1970s | 4,833 |
| 1980s | 3,993 |
| 1990s | 3,538 |
| 2000s | 1,610 |
| 2010s | 885 |
| 2020s | 290 |
Meaning & origin
Carlton has been in continuous use since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security data. It reached its peak popularity in 1937, when it was given to many newborn boys. Since 1990, its usage has been declining, and in 2025 the name was given to about 1 in 39,723 boys, ranking 2884. The name was most common in Georgia among the top states. Carlton is a classic English surname-turned-given-name that suggests a traditional, somewhat aristocratic feel, though it remains uncommon today.
Carlton is an English surname and place name derived from Old English 'ceorlatun', meaning 'settlement of the free peasants' (from 'ceorl' meaning 'freeman' and 'tun' meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement'). Alternatively, it may derive from 'Carl's town', where Carl is a variant of Charles. The name has been used as a given name since the 19th century, particularly in the United States, and saw increased popularity in the early 20th century.
Where Carlton is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carl, Carly
Variants: Carleton
Sibling names for Carlton
Names that share Carlton's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Carlton
Names whose popularity has moved with Carlton's over the last 50 years.
