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Alton Boy

Popularity: #814 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationAL-tun / /ˈæl.tən/

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.

Trend Summary

Alton has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, with a notable decline in usage since the mid-20th century.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Altonn

International Variants

Famous people named Alton

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.

Fictional characters named Alton

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Alton was first seen in the United States in 1880. Alton has ranked as high as #357 nationally, which occurred in 1937, and has been most popular in North Carolina, Texas, 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)

Top States for Alton (2024)

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

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188014
188111
188218
188328
188416
188529
188616
188715
188818
188926
189021
189120
189232
189324
189428
189526
189631
189734
189827
189933
190043
190126
190237
190384
1904302
1905164
1906106
1907120
1908119
1909101
1910122
1911156
1912300
1913372
1914419
1915568
1916604
1917604
1918642
1919630
1920683
1921688
1922741
1923676
1924678
1925708
1926778
1927759
1928816
1929716
1930756
1931706
1932717
1933669
1934713
1935699
1936674
1937836
1938765
1939680
1940692
1941636
1942625
1943659
1944643
1945553
1946610
1947659
1948695
1949601
1950635
1951650
1952614
1953604
1954595
1955613
1956601
1957565
1958571
1959540
1960529
1961542
1962476
1963459
1964461
1965403
1966371
1967403
1968379
1969353
1970345
1971363
1972293
1973322
1974276
1975241
1976264
1977273
1978234
1979244
1980251
1981240
1982264
1983238
1984195
1985207
1986189
1987191
1988242
1989194
1990210
1991221
1992183
1993181
1994161
1995152
1996136
1997147
1998165
1999128
2000136
2001111
2002156
2003156
2004147
2005135
2006148
2007165
2008162
2009150
2010122
2011131
2012166
2013152
2014162
2015147
2016148
2017133
2018132
2019133
202092
2021137
202286
2023101
2024110