Declining since 1987, #5,861 for boys today.
Popularity of Charlton since 1888
Babies named Charlton per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1971, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Charlton's real moment was 1890.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 18 |
| 1900s | 23 |
| 1910s | 145 |
| 1920s | 174 |
| 1930s | 137 |
| 1940s | 137 |
| 1950s | 365 |
| 1960s | 469 |
| 1970s | 561 |
| 1980s | 515 |
| 1990s | 391 |
| 2000s | 327 |
| 2010s | 187 |
| 2020s | 76 |
Meaning & origin
Charlton first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1888 and saw its peak popularity in 1890, when it ranked highest. Since 1987, its usage has been steadily declining, reflecting a broader shift away from surname names that peaked in the late 19th century. Currently ranking 5,861st, it remains rare, with about 1 in 113,872 babies receiving the name in 2025. Despite its low modern frequency, Charlton retains a distinguished, classic feel, in part due to its association with the esteemed actor Charlton Heston. Its top state usage is minimal, indicating no regional concentration.
Charlton is a transferred use of the English surname, which derives from various place names meaning 'settlement of the free peasants' (Old English ceorl 'free peasant' + tūn 'enclosure, settlement'). It has been used as a given name since the late 19th century, most notably popularized by the actor Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Charlie, Charley, Chuck
Sibling names for Charlton
Names that share Charlton's style, for a brother or sister.
