Declining since 2001, #6,446 for boys today.
Popularity of Hilton since 1882
Babies named Hilton per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hilton's real moment was 1905.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 23 |
| 1890s | 56 |
| 1900s | 123 |
| 1910s | 704 |
| 1920s | 1,204 |
| 1930s | 918 |
| 1940s | 884 |
| 1950s | 890 |
| 1960s | 592 |
| 1970s | 351 |
| 1980s | 287 |
| 1990s | 254 |
| 2000s | 298 |
| 2010s | 220 |
| 2020s | 121 |
Meaning & origin
Hilton is a name of English origin, derived from a surname meaning 'hill settlement.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 1882 and reached its peak rank of 6,446 in 1905. However, it has been falling in popularity since 2001, and in 2025 it remained at rank 6,446, with roughly 1 in 131,390 newborns receiving the name. Though Hilton appeared in the top states' data only briefly in the early 1900s, it retains a classic, surname-as-first-name appeal. The name shares stylistic ground with other surname-driven choices like Harrison and Graham, making it a recognizable but uncommon pick for a boy.
Hilton is an English surname transferred to given name use. It derives from various places named Hilton, composed of Old English hyll 'hill' and tūn 'enclosure, settlement'. As a given name, it emerged in the 19th century, following the Victorian fashion for using surnames as first names.
Where Hilton 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: Hilt
Sibling names for Hilton
Names that share Hilton's style, for a brother or sister.
