Afton
Afton is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
From the River Afton; Aeffa's settlement.
Origin and history
Afton is a unisex name derived from the River Afton in Ayrshire, Scotland, famously celebrated by poet Robert Burns. Historically derived from an Old English placename meaning 'Aeffa's settlement', it has seen steady, low-frequency usage in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
854 babies in the United States have been named Afton since 1880. It ranks #3823 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1859.
States where it is most popular
- AR (31.6 %)
- UT (28.9 %)
- OK (13.2 %)
- TX (13.2 %)
- VA (13.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 120 |
| 1920-1930 | 159 |
| 1930-1940 | 56 |
| 1940-1950 | 33 |
| 1950-1960 | 15 |
| 1960-1970 | 5 |
| 1970-1980 | 6 |
| 1980-1990 | 30 |
| 1990-2000 | 48 |
| 2000-2010 | 152 |
| 2010-2019 | 162 |
| 2020-2029 | 68 |
Fun facts
- The name gained widespread literary fame through Robert Burns's 1791 poem 'Sweet Afton'.
- The river's name stems from an Old English place name combining a personal name with 'tun', meaning town or settlement.