Shelton
Shelton is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Ledge town, farmstead on a slope, or shelf settlement.
Origin and history
Shelton is a masculine name of Old English origin, historically derived from a habitational surname meaning 'ledge town' or 'farmstead on a sloping bank'. It saw steady, moderate usage in the United States throughout the 20th century. Today, it remains a traditional, low-frequency choice with classic surname appeal.
Popularity in the United States
11,973 babies in the United States have been named Shelton since 1880. It ranks #1081 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1775.
States where it is most popular
- NC (20.9 %)
- LA (14 %)
- TX (10 %)
- FL (7.6 %)
- GA (7.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 61 |
| 1890-1900 | 55 |
| 1900-1910 | 103 |
| 1910-1920 | 478 |
| 1920-1930 | 777 |
| 1930-1940 | 834 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,107 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,361 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,483 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,511 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,246 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,358 |
| 2000-2010 | 934 |
| 2010-2019 | 513 |
| 2020-2029 | 152 |
Famous people named Shelton
- Shelton Benjamin: Professional Wrestler
- Shelton Jackson Lee: Film Director, Producer
Nicknames
Shel
Fun facts
- The name originally designated someone who lived near one of several places named Shelton in England, combining words for a shelf or ledge with a settlement.
- Shelton is part of a long-standing English tradition of adapting family surnames into given names.