Alton Boy

Popularity: #832 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: AL-tun //ˈæl.tən//

Origin: Old English; Anglo-Saxon

Meaning: Old English: 'from the old town'; Anglo-Saxon: 'noble town'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Alton has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "ael" meaning "noble" and "tun" meaning "town" or "settlement." This etymological combination suggests a literal meaning of "noble town" or "town of the noble." The name was likely used to denote a place of significance or status, reflecting the social hierarchy of early medieval England. The transition of the name into modern English occurred through various forms, including its appearance in place names and surnames, which were common in the development of English nomenclature during the Middle Ages.

Historically, the name Alton can be traced back to several notable locations in England, such as Alton in Hampshire, which has records dating back to the 10th century. The town itself was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, indicating its importance during the Norman Conquest.

The name has also been associated with various historical figures and families throughout the centuries, contributing to its recognition in English heritage. The use of Alton as a given name appears to have gained traction in the 19th century, coinciding with a broader trend of adopting place names as personal names during that period.

Culturally, Alton carries connotations of nobility and strength, reflecting its etymological roots. The name has been used in literature and historical texts, often symbolizing a connection to heritage and land.

Additionally, diminutive forms such as Al or Ton may have emerged informally, although they are less documented. Overall, Alton's historical significance and linguistic origins underscore its enduring presence in English-speaking cultures.

Famous people named Alton

In this section, you will find notable people named Alton. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Alton who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Alton who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Alton Brown is a chef, author, and television personality best known for Good Eats, Iron Chef America, and Cutthroat Kitchen.

Alton Ellis is a musician best known for his work in reggae and rocksteady music, particularly the songs 'I'm Still in Love' and 'Dance Crasher'.

Alton McGowan is a professional basketball player best known for his time in the NBA and overseas leagues.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Alton, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AldenAlvinAveryAshtonArcher

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Alton. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

AlvinAldenAxton

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Alton was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Alton has ranked as high as #378 nationally, which occurred in 1937, and has been most popular in Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, and Alabama.

In the past 5 years the name Alton has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Alton is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Alton was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Alton.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 106 106 0
2024 110 110 0
2023 101 101 0
2022 86 86 0
2021 137 137 0
2020 92 92 0
2019 134 134 0
2018 132 132 0
2017 133 133 0
2016 148 148 0
2015 147 147 0
2014 162 162 0
2013 152 152 0
2012 166 166 0
2011 131 131 0
2010 122 122 0
2009 150 150 0
2008 162 162 0
2007 165 165 0
2006 148 148 0
2005 135 135 0
2004 147 147 0
2003 156 156 0
2002 156 156 0
2001 111 111 0
2000 136 136 0
1999 128 128 0
1998 165 165 0
1997 147 147 0
1996 136 136 0
1995 152 152 0
1994 161 161 0
1993 181 181 0
1992 183 183 0
1991 221 221 0
1990 210 210 0
1989 199 194 5
1988 242 242 0
1987 191 191 0
1986 194 189 5
1985 207 207 0
1984 195 195 0
1983 238 238 0
1982 264 264 0
1981 245 240 5
1980 251 251 0
1979 244 244 0
1978 234 234 0
1977 273 273 0
1976 269 264 5
1975 241 241 0
1974 276 276 0
1973 322 322 0
1972 293 293 0
1971 363 363 0
1970 345 345 0
1969 358 353 5
1968 380 380 0
1967 410 403 7
1966 371 371 0
1965 402 402 0
1964 461 461 0
1963 468 460 8
1962 481 476 5
1961 542 542 0
1960 537 528 9
1959 541 541 0
1958 571 571 0
1957 572 565 7
1956 601 601 0
1955 613 613 0
1954 595 595 0
1953 610 604 6
1952 621 614 7
1951 660 650 10
1950 635 635 0
1949 601 601 0
1948 695 695 0
1947 666 659 7
1946 615 610 5
1945 561 553 8
1944 648 643 5
1943 664 659 5
1942 631 625 6
1941 636 636 0
1940 697 692 5
1939 685 680 5
1938 770 765 5
1937 836 836 0
1936 681 674 7
1935 710 699 11
1934 721 713 8
1933 676 669 7
1932 722 717 5
1931 717 706 11
1930 766 756 10
1929 724 716 8
1928 830 816 14
1927 771 759 12
1926 784 778 6
1925 717 708 9
1924 683 678 5
1923 676 676 0
1922 754 741 13
1921 700 688 12
1920 699 683 16
1919 639 630 9
1918 652 642 10
1917 613 604 9
1916 613 604 9
1915 579 568 11
1914 426 419 7
1913 380 372 8
1912 306 300 6
1911 156 156 0
1910 127 122 5
1909 107 101 6
1908 119 119 0
1907 120 120 0
1906 106 106 0
1905 164 164 0
1904 308 302 6
1903 84 84 0
1902 37 37 0
1901 26 26 0
1900 43 43 0
1899 33 33 0
1898 27 27 0
1897 34 34 0
1896 31 31 0
1895 26 26 0
1894 28 28 0
1893 24 24 0
1892 32 32 0
1891 20 20 0
1890 21 21 0
1889 26 26 0
1888 18 18 0
1887 15 15 0
1886 16 16 0
1885 29 29 0
1884 16 16 0
1883 28 28 0
1882 18 18 0
1881 11 11 0
1880 14 14 0

Top States for Alton (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 13
25%
TX 11
21%
PA 8
15%
SC 6
11%
FL 5
9%
LA 5
9%
NY 5
9%