Carlton
Every Carlton since 1880 — 49,167 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Carlton
Carlton is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,893 in 2025 with 43 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 49,167 American babies have been named Carlton. Its peak came in 1957, when 962 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Carlton stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Carlton 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 | — | — | 43 | #2,893 |
| 2024 | — | — | 46 | #2,797 |
| 2023 | — | — | 48 | #2,702 |
| 2022 | — | — | 37 | #3,222 |
| 2021 | — | — | 55 | #2,443 |
| 2020 | — | — | 61 | #2,241 |
| 2019 | — | — | 69 | #2,090 |
| 2018 | — | — | 64 | #2,174 |
| 2017 | — | — | 72 | #1,978 |
| 2016 | — | — | 82 | #1,831 |
| 2015 | — | — | 99 | #1,617 |
| 2014 | — | — | 88 | #1,714 |
| 2013 | — | — | 87 | #1,698 |
| 2012 | — | — | 100 | #1,577 |
| 2011 | — | — | 102 | #1,547 |
| 2010 | — | — | 122 | #1,377 |
| 2009 | — | — | 114 | #1,459 |
| 2008 | — | — | 128 | #1,345 |
| 2007 | — | — | 146 | #1,207 |
| 2006 | — | — | 143 | #1,178 |
| 2005 | — | — | 180 | #969 |
| 2004 | — | — | 137 | #1,146 |
| 2003 | — | — | 154 | #1,025 |
| 2002 | — | — | 175 | #917 |
| 2001 | — | — | 208 | #806 |
| 2000 | — | — | 225 | #750 |
| 1995 | 5 | #13,771 | 328 | #566 |
| 1990 | — | — | 529 | #425 |
| 1985 | — | — | 378 | #438 |
| 1980 | 8 | #7,513 | 442 | #389 |
| 1975 | — | — | 496 | #346 |
| 1970 | 10 | #5,097 | 584 | #327 |
| 1965 | 6 | #5,891 | 639 | #296 |
| 1960 | 9 | #4,486 | 849 | #274 |
| 1955 | — | — | 874 | #238 |
| 1950 | — | — | 569 | #277 |
| 1945 | — | — | 500 | #262 |
| 1940 | 5 | #4,450 | 492 | #244 |
| 1935 | — | — | 491 | #239 |
| 1930 | 6 | #4,106 | 471 | #258 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4,514 | 448 | #270 |
| 1920 | 6 | #4,471 | 440 | #260 |
| 1915 | — | — | 349 | #257 |
| 1910 | — | — | 89 | #257 |
| 1905 | — | — | 48 | #286 |
| 1900 | — | — | 38 | #355 |
| 1895 | — | — | 27 | #361 |
| 1890 | — | — | 17 | #440 |
| 1885 | — | — | 18 | #424 |
| 1880 | — | — | 13 | #507 |
Famous people named Carlton
- Carlton Cuse Writer · b. 1959
- Carlton Cole Soccer player · b. 1983
- Carlton Palmer Soccer player · b. 1965
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Carlton in 2025?
Carlton ranked #2,893 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 43 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Carlton?
49,167 babies have been named Carlton in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Carlton most popular?
Carlton peaked in 1957, when 962 newborns received the name.
Is Carlton a boy or girl name?
Carlton is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Carlton rising or falling?
Carlton is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Carlton?
Well-known people named Carlton include Carlton Cuse (writer), Carlton Cole (soccer player), Carlton Palmer (soccer player).