Carleton
Carleton is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Town of the freemen or settlement of Carl.
Origin and history
Carleton is an English name derived from a habitational surname meaning 'town of the free men'. Historically used as both a surname and a given name in the United States, its usage was most prominent in the early to mid-20th century. Today, it remains a rare and classic choice for parents seeking a traditional habitational name.
Popularity in the United States
4,839 babies in the United States have been named Carleton since 1880. It ranks #1759 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1921.
States where it is most popular
- MA (24.2 %)
- NY (24.1 %)
- ME (21 %)
- CA (8.3 %)
- MI (7.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 42 |
| 1890-1900 | 89 |
| 1900-1910 | 102 |
| 1910-1920 | 582 |
| 1920-1930 | 830 |
| 1930-1940 | 622 |
| 1940-1950 | 599 |
| 1950-1960 | 638 |
| 1960-1970 | 434 |
| 1970-1980 | 337 |
| 1980-1990 | 263 |
| 1990-2000 | 180 |
| 2000-2010 | 99 |
| 2010-2019 | 16 |
| 2020-2029 | 6 |
Famous people named Carleton
- Carleton Coon: Anthropologist, Author
- Carleton Carpenter: Actor, Songwriter
- Carleton Hobbs: Actor
Nicknames
Carl
Fun facts
- The name stems from Old English 'carles' (free man) and 'tūn' (farmstead, village, or town).
- Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, is a well-known institution named after benefactor William Carleton.