Declining since 2014, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Cotton since 1918
Babies named Cotton per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 11 |
| 1980s | 32 |
| 1990s | 76 |
| 2000s | 104 |
| 2010s | 210 |
| 2020s | 69 |
Meaning & origin
Cotton is a rare occupational or nature-inspired name in the United States, first recorded in Social Security data in 1918. It peaked in popularity in 2015, but has since been falling in usage, with a trajectory downward from 2014 onward. In 2025, the name was given to only a handful of boys, ranking 8,243rd with a 1-in-189,786 frequency. While it has no strong ties to any specific state or region, its novelty and connection to the natural world may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive name with agricultural roots.
Cotton is an English surname and occasional given name derived from the Old English word 'cottun,' meaning 'cottage settlement,' or from the plant name 'cotton.' As a given name, it likely originated as a nickname or surname, gaining some use as a first name in the United States from the early 20th century onward.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Coty, Cott
Sibling names for Cotton
Names that share Cotton's style, for a brother or sister.
