Burton
Usually from Old English burhtun (fortified farmstead, farmstead near or belonging to a stronghold or manor), from burh + tun.
Every Burton since 1880 — 22,534 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Burton
Burton is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #4,419 in 2025 with 23 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 22,534 American babies have been named Burton. Its peak came in 1925, when 597 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Burton stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Burton year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 23 | #4,419 |
| 2024 | — | — | 19 | #5,099 |
| 2023 | — | — | 31 | #3,637 |
| 2022 | — | — | 35 | #3,347 |
| 2021 | — | — | 31 | #3,593 |
| 2020 | — | — | 20 | #4,725 |
| 2019 | — | — | 24 | #4,244 |
| 2018 | — | — | 23 | #4,382 |
| 2017 | — | — | 25 | #4,123 |
| 2016 | — | — | 25 | #4,114 |
| 2015 | — | — | 36 | #3,161 |
| 2014 | — | — | 27 | #3,802 |
| 2013 | — | — | 30 | #3,511 |
| 2012 | — | — | 36 | #3,121 |
| 2011 | — | — | 27 | #3,807 |
| 2010 | — | — | 26 | #3,909 |
| 2009 | — | — | 26 | #3,930 |
| 2008 | — | — | 19 | #4,923 |
| 2007 | — | — | 29 | #3,607 |
| 2006 | — | — | 25 | #3,905 |
| 2005 | — | — | 31 | #3,251 |
| 2004 | — | — | 30 | #3,226 |
| 2003 | — | — | 23 | #3,744 |
| 2002 | — | — | 24 | #3,570 |
| 2001 | — | — | 22 | #3,730 |
| 2000 | — | — | 21 | #3,785 |
| 1995 | — | — | 25 | #2,856 |
| 1990 | — | — | 43 | #1,814 |
| 1985 | — | — | 56 | #1,283 |
| 1980 | — | — | 97 | #908 |
| 1975 | — | — | 79 | #922 |
| 1970 | — | — | 121 | #749 |
| 1965 | — | — | 160 | #603 |
| 1960 | — | — | 186 | #572 |
| 1955 | — | — | 183 | #547 |
| 1950 | — | — | 252 | #421 |
| 1945 | — | — | 273 | #359 |
| 1940 | — | — | 345 | #301 |
| 1935 | — | — | 399 | #273 |
| 1930 | — | — | 560 | #227 |
| 1925 | — | — | 597 | #222 |
| 1920 | — | — | 433 | #264 |
| 1915 | — | — | 328 | #268 |
| 1910 | — | — | 53 | #345 |
| 1905 | — | — | 30 | #385 |
| 1900 | — | — | 38 | #354 |
| 1895 | — | — | 27 | #360 |
| 1890 | — | — | 28 | #328 |
| 1885 | — | — | 32 | #300 |
| 1880 | — | — | 34 | #283 |
Famous people named Burton
- Burton Richter Physicist · 1931–2018
- Burton Downing Athlete · 1885–1929
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Burton mean?
Usually from Old English burhtun (fortified farmstead, farmstead near or belonging to a stronghold or manor), from burh + tun.
How popular is the name Burton in 2025?
Burton ranked #4,419 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 23 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Burton?
22,534 babies have been named Burton in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Burton most popular?
Burton peaked in 1925, when 597 newborns received the name.
Is Burton a boy or girl name?
Burton is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Burton rising or falling?
Burton has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Burton?
Well-known people named Burton include Burton Richter (physicist), Burton Downing (athlete).