Afton
Afton is a girl's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
From the River Afton; modern river name of uncertain pre-Old English origin.
Origin and history
Afton is a geographic name derived from the River Afton in Ayrshire, Scotland, made famous by Robert Burns's poem 'Afton Water'. Historically used for both boys and girls, it remains a rare but gentle choice in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
5,223 babies in the United States have been named Afton since 1880. It ranks #2390 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1763.
States where it is most popular
- UT (47.1 %)
- TX (9.2 %)
- ID (9 %)
- CA (6.4 %)
- VA (6.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 18 |
| 1900-1910 | 91 |
| 1910-1920 | 461 |
| 1920-1930 | 475 |
| 1930-1940 | 213 |
| 1940-1950 | 95 |
| 1950-1960 | 20 |
| 1960-1970 | 29 |
| 1970-1980 | 57 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,206 |
| 1990-2000 | 580 |
| 2000-2010 | 719 |
| 2010-2019 | 921 |
| 2020-2029 | 338 |
Famous people named Afton
- Afton Williamson: Actress
Fun facts
- The name gained cultural recognition through Robert Burns's famous 1789 poem 'Sweet Afton' ('Flow gently, sweet Afton').
- It originally stems from the River Afton in Ayrshire, Scotland, and several towns in the United States carry the name.