Carleton: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Carleton

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1923

103 babies

All-time total

4,839

#1,813 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Carleton popularity over time

4,839 babies have been named Carleton since 1880, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	42	4	–	#653
1890s	89	9	+112%	#479
1900s	102	10	+15%	#638
1910s	582	58	+471%	#592
1920s	830	83	+43%	#632
1930s	622	62	-25%	#757
1940s	599	60	-4%	#733
1950s	638	64	+7%	#841
1960s	434	43	-32%	#1,007
1970s	337	34	-22%	#1,238
1980s	263	26	-22%	#1,582
1990s	180	18	-32%	#2,442
2000s	99	10	-45%	#4,733
2010s	16	2	-84%	#10,966
2020s (to 2025)	6	1	-38%	#11,059

The story of Carleton

Carleton is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1880, 4,839 American babies have been named Carleton. Its peak came in 1923, when 103 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 Carleton stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Carleton?

The median living Carleton is about 61 years old; half are between 45 and 73. An estimated 2,100 people named Carleton are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Carleton year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	6	#11,059
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	5	#12,601
2016	6	#10,966
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	5	#12,588
2010	–	–
2009	12	#6,870
2008	6	#11,285
2007	–	–
2006	17	#5,105
2005	8	#8,410
2004	7	#9,085
2003	10	#6,802
2002	16	#4,733
2001	12	#5,724
2000	11	#5,971
1995	14	#4,309
1990	28	#2,442
1985	26	#2,125
1980	27	#2,009
1975	30	#1,665
1970	45	#1,238
1965	42	#1,166
1960	50	#1,101
1955	71	#874
1950	64	#852
1945	56	#838
1940	61	#794
1935	66	#758
1930	65	#804
1925	80	#723
1920	75	#763
1915	93	#592
1910	13	#876
1905	14	#638
1900	12	#751
1895	10	#697
1890	7	#819
1885	9	#653
1880	8	#690

Famous people named Carleton

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Carleton S. Coon American anthropologist (1904–1981) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Carleton, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Carleton?

The median living Carleton is about 61 years old. Half of all living Carletons are between 45 and 73 years old.

How many people named Carleton are alive today?

An estimated 2,100 people named Carleton are alive in the United States, based on 4,839 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Carleton mean?

A male given name transferred from the surname.

How popular is the name Carleton in 2025?

Carleton did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Carleton?

4,839 babies have been named Carleton in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Carleton most popular?

Carleton peaked in 1923, when 103 newborns received the name.

Is Carleton a boy or girl name?

Carleton is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Carleton rising or falling?

Carleton is on the rise, noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Carleton?

Well-known people named Carleton include Carleton S. Coon (anthropologist).

Names like Carleton

Names that sound and feel close to Carleton: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Carleton with similar names → More names starting with C →