MallowbyNames

Karlton

KARL-tən · Of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Carlton, meaning 'settlement of free men' or 'from the town of the peasants'.

Peak popularity
1991
Usually for
Boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Karlton since 1913

Babies named Karlton per year in U.S. Social Security records.

163147192019602000Most births 1991Boys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeBoys
1910s15
1920s37
1930s47
1940s63
1950s162
1960s238
1970s243
1980s245
1990s256
2000s123
2010s73
2020s27

Meaning & origin

Karlton is a rare modern American name first recorded in 1913. It remains a distinctive choice, never entering the top 1000 and experiencing a peak in 1991. Since then, its usage has been stable but infrequent. The name's origin is likely a respelling of Carlton, with no strong ties to any cultural or linguistic tradition. For families seeking an uncommon name with a familiar sound, Karlton offers a unique option without a heavy historical or cultural load.

Karlton is a modern American coinage, likely a respelling or variation of the English surname Carlton, which derives from Old English 'ceorlatun' meaning 'settlement of the free men' or 'town of the peasants'. The name emerged in the early 20th century and saw modest use, peaking in popularity in 1991 before stabilizing at low usage.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Karl, Karly

Variants: Carlton, Karleton

Sibling names for Karlton

Names that share Karlton's style, for a brother or sister.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

K is for Karlton, our favorite little boy.

K is for Karlton…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Karlton's letter becomes Karlton's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Karlton's book

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Questions parents ask

What does the name Karlton mean?
The meaning is uncertain; it is most likely a modern variant of Carlton, from an Old English place name meaning 'settlement of free men' or 'town of the peasants'.
How popular is Karlton currently?
Karlton has not ranked in the top 1000 names in recent years. Its peak popularity was in 1991, but since then it has remained stable with very low usage.
Is Karlton a boy's name or a girl's name?
Karlton is almost exclusively used as a boy's name in the United States, based on Social Security data.