Carleton
Carleton was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1891, when it ranked 479th; the most babies were born in 1923 (103). More babies were named Carleton in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Carlton) "settlement of free peasants" · Old English, English
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedboys
- Babies in 2025
- 0boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 1923103 babies
- Total since 1880
- 4,839babies recorded
What does the name Carleton mean?
Carleton is a spelling of Carlton, pronounced the same way, so it shares Carlton's meaning and origin.
Carlton is an English place-name and surname from Old English ceorl, "free peasant, freeman", and tūn, "farmstead, settlement". The hard k sound, instead of the ch in the related Charlton, reflects Old Norse influence in areas of Viking settlement. It became a first name in the 19th century and was most common in the US in the 1930s to 1950s.
ċeorl (Old English, “freeman, free peasant”)tūn (Old English, “farmstead, settlement”)
How sure is this? Well established.
Related names: Charlton, Carl, Carleton.
See also: English names, names from places.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Carlton', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Wikipedia, 'Carlton (given name)', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation)
Carleton popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2000 | #5,971 | 11 |
| 1990 | #2,442 | 28 |
| 1980 | #2,009 | 27 |
| 1970 | #1,238 | 45 |
| 1960 | #1,101 | 50 |
| 1950 | #852 | 64 |
| 1940 | #794 | 61 |
| 1930 | #804 | 65 |
| 1920 | #763 | 75 |
| 1910 | #876 | 13 |
| 1900 | #751 | 12 |
| 1890 | #819 | 7 |
| 1880 | #690 | 8 |
How popular is Carleton, counting every spelling?
Carleton is a spelling of Carlton, a name family that had 43 boys in 2025 across its spellings. Together these spellings went to 43 boys in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlton | 43 | #2,893 | 229 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Carleton?
About 1,900 people born in the US named Carleton are alive today, with a median age of 61; half are between 44 and 72. That makes Carleton a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Carleton by state
How common Carleton was among boys born in each state in 1921–1925, around its peak. It is notably more common than nationally in Maine (23.0×), Massachusetts (4.8×), Michigan (2.2×), New York (1.8×). In 43 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Carleton: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Carleton, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Carleton
What does Carleton mean?
Carleton is a spelling of Carlton, which means “"settlement of free peasants"” (Old English, English origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Carleton?
Carleton was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1891, when it ranked 479th; the most babies were born in 1923 (103). More babies were named Carleton in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Is Carleton a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Carleton in the US.
Where was Carleton most popular?
In 1921–1925, Carleton was most common in Maine (1.89 per 1,000 boys), followed by Massachusetts and Michigan.