Carlton Boy

Popularity: #895 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KARL-tun //ˈkɑːl.tən//

Origin: English; Old English

Meaning: English: from the town of Carl; Old English: free man

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Carlton is of Old English origin, derived from the elements "carl," meaning "man," and "tun," meaning "town" or "settlement." This etymological combination suggests a literal meaning of "settlement of free men" or "town of the men." The name first appeared in England as a place name, with several locations named Carlton, which were recorded in various forms throughout the medieval period. The transition into a personal name occurred as surnames began to evolve into given names during the late Middle Ages, particularly in the 14th century.

Historically, the name Carlton has been associated with various notable figures and locations. One significant milestone in its history is the use of the name in the 19th century, when it became more common as a first name, particularly in English-speaking countries.

The name has been borne by several prominent individuals, including politicians and artists, contributing to its recognition. Additionally, the name has been featured in literature and popular culture, further embedding it within the English-speaking world.

Culturally, Carlton carries connotations of nobility and respectability, often associated with the upper classes in England. The name's roots in the concept of a settlement suggest a connection to community and heritage, which has allowed it to resonate through generations.

The diminutive form "Carl" has also been used historically, though Carlton remains the more formal version. Overall, the name Carlton reflects a rich linguistic and cultural history, rooted in the social structures of medieval England.

Famous people named Carlton

In this section, you will find notable people named Carlton. 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 Carlton who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Carlton 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.

Carlton Banks is a fictional character best known for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Carlton Cuse is a television producer best known for Lost, Bates Motel, and The Strain.

Carlton Fisk is a former professional baseball player best known for his time with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox.

Fictional characters named Carlton

The following list of fictional characters named Carlton 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.

Carlton Banks is a fictional character from the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He is the preppy, wealthy cousin of the main character, Will Smith, known for his distinctive dance moves and conservative demeanor.

Sibling suggestions

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

CarterCalebCameronColtonCyrusCaden

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Carlton. 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.

CarsonCullenCarterColinCameronCadenCalvinCurtis

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Carlton has ranked as high as #532 nationally, which occurred in 1957, and has been most popular in New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Carlton 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 Carlton 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 Carlton.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 43 43 0
2024 46 46 0
2023 48 48 0
2022 37 37 0
2021 55 55 0
2020 61 61 0
2019 69 69 0
2018 64 64 0
2017 72 72 0
2016 82 82 0
2015 99 99 0
2014 88 88 0
2013 87 87 0
2012 100 100 0
2011 102 102 0
2010 122 122 0
2009 114 114 0
2008 128 128 0
2007 146 146 0
2006 143 143 0
2005 180 180 0
2004 137 137 0
2003 154 154 0
2002 175 175 0
2001 208 208 0
2000 225 225 0
1999 224 224 0
1998 246 246 0
1997 269 269 0
1996 289 284 5
1995 333 328 5
1994 362 356 6
1993 402 396 6
1992 445 437 8
1991 469 469 0
1990 529 529 0
1989 478 478 0
1988 381 381 0
1987 359 352 7
1986 384 376 8
1985 378 378 0
1984 373 367 6
1983 383 383 0
1982 444 444 0
1981 397 392 5
1980 450 442 8
1979 469 469 0
1978 436 436 0
1977 465 465 0
1976 402 397 5
1975 496 496 0
1974 455 450 5
1973 477 477 0
1972 464 464 0
1971 601 595 6
1970 594 584 10
1969 527 511 16
1968 608 601 7
1967 613 613 0
1966 657 650 7
1965 645 639 6
1964 784 777 7
1963 762 762 0
1962 815 815 0
1961 775 768 7
1960 858 849 9
1959 821 813 8
1958 894 887 7
1957 962 955 7
1956 913 908 5
1955 874 874 0
1954 839 833 6
1953 724 718 6
1952 698 698 0
1951 673 665 8
1950 569 569 0
1949 584 584 0
1948 552 547 5
1947 637 637 0
1946 552 542 10
1945 500 500 0
1944 490 485 5
1943 555 548 7
1942 516 516 0
1941 510 510 0
1940 497 492 5
1939 494 494 0
1938 538 538 0
1937 548 548 0
1936 489 483 6
1935 491 491 0
1934 477 477 0
1933 491 491 0
1932 530 525 5
1931 503 503 0
1930 477 471 6
1929 507 502 5
1928 551 551 0
1927 483 483 0
1926 488 483 5
1925 454 448 6
1924 430 430 0
1923 455 450 5
1922 452 447 5
1921 480 480 0
1920 446 440 6
1919 397 397 0
1918 432 432 0
1917 388 388 0
1916 395 395 0
1915 349 349 0
1914 283 283 0
1913 198 198 0
1912 201 201 0
1911 108 108 0
1910 89 89 0
1909 61 61 0
1908 48 48 0
1907 49 49 0
1906 49 49 0
1905 48 48 0
1904 47 47 0
1903 33 33 0
1902 37 37 0
1901 41 41 0
1900 38 38 0
1899 31 31 0
1898 31 31 0
1897 28 28 0
1896 31 31 0
1895 27 27 0
1894 30 30 0
1893 21 21 0
1892 21 21 0
1891 22 22 0
1890 17 17 0
1889 29 29 0
1888 19 19 0
1887 13 13 0
1886 22 22 0
1885 18 18 0
1884 20 20 0
1883 19 19 0
1882 21 21 0
1881 16 16 0
1880 13 13 0

Top States for Carlton (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
FL 7
54%
GA 6
46%