Alton
Alton is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Town at the source of the river, or old town.
Origin and history
Alton is an English surname turned given name derived from a place name meaning 'town at the source of the river' or 'old town'. It experienced steady popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it remains a traditional and recognized classic, though used less frequently for modern newborns.
Popularity in the United States
47,457 babies in the United States have been named Alton since 1880. It ranks #526 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1323.
States where it is most popular
- TX (14.9 %)
- NC (10.7 %)
- LA (9.5 %)
- GA (8.7 %)
- AL (5.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 191 |
| 1890-1900 | 276 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,102 |
| 1910-1920 | 4,417 |
| 1920-1930 | 7,243 |
| 1930-1940 | 7,215 |
| 1940-1950 | 6,373 |
| 1950-1960 | 5,989 |
| 1960-1970 | 4,376 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,855 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,211 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,684 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,466 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,427 |
| 2020-2029 | 632 |
Famous people named Alton
- Alton Brown: Television host, Chef
- Alton Ellis: Musician, Singer
Fun facts
- Alton originated as an Old English habitational surname describing several towns located near river sources in Hampshire, Staffordshire, and Leicestershire.
- The name was most commonly given in the United States during the first half of the 20th century, reaching its peak in the 1910s and 1920s.