Burton Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BUR-ton //ˈbɜːrtən//
Origin: English; Old English
Meaning: English: fortress town; Old English: fortified settlement
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Burton has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "burh," meaning "fortification" or "fort," and "tun," meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." This etymological combination suggests a literal meaning of "fortified settlement." The name was initially used as a surname, indicating a geographical origin, and it entered the English language during the early medieval period, particularly after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which facilitated the incorporation of many Old English terms into the evolving English lexicon. Historically, the name Burton has been associated with various locations in England, notably Burton upon Trent, a town in Staffordshire that gained prominence in the brewing industry during the 19th century.
The name also appears in historical records from as early as the 12th century, with references to individuals bearing the surname in connection to land ownership and local governance. The name's presence in English history is further solidified by its appearance in notable texts and documents, including the Domesday Book, which recorded landholdings in England in 1086.
Culturally, the name Burton carries connotations of strength and stability, reflective of its meaning related to fortifications. This association has allowed the name to endure through centuries, often linked to individuals of notable character or achievement.
Additionally, the name has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, contributing to its resonance in English-speaking cultures. While diminutive forms such as Burt may exist, the name Burton itself has maintained a strong identity throughout its history, symbolizing a connection to the land and heritage of England.
Famous people named Burton
In this section, you will find notable people named Burton. 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 Burton who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Burton 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.
Burton Cummings is a musician best known for his work with The Guess Who, as well as his solo hits like 'Stand Tall.'.
Burton Guster is a fictional character best known as the sidekick in the television series Psych.
Burton Lane is a composer best known for his work on Broadway musicals such as Finian's Rainbow and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.
Burton Ernie is a fictional character best known as one half of the iconic duo on Sesame Street.
Fictional characters named Burton
The following list of fictional characters named Burton is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Burton Guster is a fictional character from the TV series Psych. He is the best friend and partner of the main character, Shawn Spencer, providing comic relief and support throughout their detective adventures.
Burton 'Burt' Macklin is a fictional character from the TV series Parks and Recreation. He is a fictional alter ego of the character Andy Dwyer, known for his humorous and over-the-top persona as a detective.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Burton, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Burton. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Burton was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Burton has ranked as high as #452 nationally, which occurred in 1925, and has been most popular in New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, California, and Michigan.
In the past 5 years the name Burton has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Burton 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 Burton was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Burton (2021)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |
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 Burton.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2023 | 31 |
| 2022 | 35 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2018 | 22 |
| 2017 | 25 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2015 | 36 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2013 | 30 |
| 2012 | 36 |
| 2011 | 27 |
| 2010 | 26 |
| 2009 | 26 |
| 2008 | 19 |
| 2007 | 29 |
| 2006 | 25 |
| 2005 | 31 |
| 2004 | 30 |
| 2003 | 23 |
| 2002 | 24 |
| 2001 | 22 |
| 2000 | 21 |
| 1999 | 24 |
| 1998 | 25 |
| 1997 | 21 |
| 1996 | 37 |
| 1995 | 25 |
| 1994 | 36 |
| 1993 | 36 |
| 1992 | 31 |
| 1991 | 45 |
| 1990 | 43 |
| 1989 | 54 |
| 1988 | 51 |
| 1987 | 56 |
| 1986 | 63 |
| 1985 | 56 |
| 1984 | 60 |
| 1983 | 70 |
| 1982 | 75 |
| 1981 | 91 |
| 1980 | 98 |
| 1979 | 94 |
| 1978 | 102 |
| 1977 | 98 |
| 1976 | 82 |
| 1975 | 79 |
| 1974 | 86 |
| 1973 | 88 |
| 1972 | 112 |
| 1971 | 119 |
| 1970 | 121 |
| 1969 | 117 |
| 1968 | 120 |
| 1967 | 129 |
| 1966 | 152 |
| 1965 | 160 |
| 1964 | 163 |
| 1963 | 197 |
| 1962 | 154 |
| 1961 | 182 |
| 1960 | 186 |
| 1959 | 171 |
| 1958 | 158 |
| 1957 | 196 |
| 1956 | 191 |
| 1955 | 183 |
| 1954 | 192 |
| 1953 | 222 |
| 1952 | 217 |
| 1951 | 216 |
| 1950 | 252 |
| 1949 | 270 |
| 1948 | 246 |
| 1947 | 293 |
| 1946 | 285 |
| 1945 | 273 |
| 1944 | 293 |
| 1943 | 304 |
| 1942 | 317 |
| 1941 | 334 |
| 1940 | 345 |
| 1939 | 312 |
| 1938 | 384 |
| 1937 | 410 |
| 1936 | 435 |
| 1935 | 399 |
| 1934 | 433 |
| 1933 | 427 |
| 1932 | 440 |
| 1931 | 473 |
| 1930 | 560 |
| 1929 | 545 |
| 1928 | 518 |
| 1927 | 546 |
| 1926 | 558 |
| 1925 | 597 |
| 1924 | 551 |
| 1923 | 495 |
| 1922 | 479 |
| 1921 | 503 |
| 1920 | 433 |
| 1919 | 456 |
| 1918 | 450 |
| 1917 | 398 |
| 1916 | 358 |
| 1915 | 328 |
| 1914 | 244 |
| 1913 | 207 |
| 1912 | 163 |
| 1911 | 84 |
| 1910 | 53 |
| 1909 | 52 |
| 1908 | 34 |
| 1907 | 43 |
| 1906 | 50 |
| 1905 | 30 |
| 1904 | 41 |
| 1903 | 52 |
| 1902 | 29 |
| 1901 | 35 |
| 1900 | 38 |
| 1899 | 32 |
| 1898 | 38 |
| 1897 | 26 |
| 1896 | 42 |
| 1895 | 27 |
| 1894 | 29 |
| 1893 | 30 |
| 1892 | 32 |
| 1891 | 29 |
| 1890 | 28 |
| 1889 | 24 |
| 1888 | 42 |
| 1887 | 23 |
| 1886 | 35 |
| 1885 | 32 |
| 1884 | 38 |
| 1883 | 40 |
| 1882 | 38 |
| 1881 | 42 |
| 1880 | 34 |