Milton
The English place names are from Old English mylen (“mill”) or middel (“middle”) + tun (“settlement”).
Every Milton since 1880 — 118,551 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Milton
Milton is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,440 in 2025 with 125 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 118,551 American babies have been named Milton. Its peak came in 1920, when 2,603 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 Milton stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Milton 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 | — | — | 125 | #1,440 |
| 2024 | — | — | 128 | #1,431 |
| 2023 | — | — | 128 | #1,426 |
| 2022 | — | — | 153 | #1,266 |
| 2021 | — | — | 136 | #1,363 |
| 2020 | — | — | 144 | #1,278 |
| 2019 | — | — | 149 | #1,262 |
| 2018 | — | — | 153 | #1,221 |
| 2017 | — | — | 167 | #1,139 |
| 2016 | — | — | 149 | #1,245 |
| 2015 | — | — | 153 | #1,208 |
| 2014 | — | — | 175 | #1,095 |
| 2013 | — | — | 171 | #1,089 |
| 2012 | — | — | 168 | #1,107 |
| 2011 | — | — | 159 | #1,140 |
| 2010 | — | — | 188 | #1,034 |
| 2009 | — | — | 190 | #1,026 |
| 2008 | — | — | 218 | #935 |
| 2007 | — | — | 222 | #901 |
| 2006 | — | — | 238 | #846 |
| 2005 | — | — | 231 | #818 |
| 2004 | — | — | 244 | #755 |
| 2003 | — | — | 243 | #743 |
| 2002 | — | — | 260 | #696 |
| 2001 | — | — | 264 | #684 |
| 2000 | — | — | 280 | #650 |
| 1995 | — | — | 271 | #625 |
| 1990 | — | — | 324 | #564 |
| 1985 | — | — | 366 | #447 |
| 1980 | — | — | 402 | #406 |
| 1975 | 5 | #10,037 | 437 | #373 |
| 1970 | — | — | 633 | #310 |
| 1965 | 8 | #5,150 | 825 | #257 |
| 1960 | 10 | #4,372 | 1,183 | #235 |
| 1955 | 11 | #3,718 | 1,430 | #185 |
| 1950 | 7 | #4,604 | 1,553 | #161 |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,385 | 1,349 | #154 |
| 1940 | — | — | 1,423 | #132 |
| 1935 | 10 | #2,871 | 1,532 | #117 |
| 1930 | 17 | #2,085 | 2,053 | #93 |
| 1925 | 15 | #2,457 | 2,567 | #80 |
| 1920 | 11 | #3,039 | 2,592 | #74 |
| 1915 | 11 | #2,649 | 2,225 | #73 |
| 1910 | — | — | 476 | #76 |
| 1905 | — | — | 299 | #80 |
| 1900 | — | — | 242 | #98 |
| 1895 | — | — | 188 | #102 |
| 1890 | — | — | 126 | #119 |
| 1885 | — | — | 130 | #107 |
| 1880 | — | — | 149 | #91 |
Famous people named Milton
- Milton Friedman Economist · 1912–2006
- Milton H. Erickson Psychologist · 1901–1980
- Milton Obote Politician · 1925–2005
- Milton Glaser Designer · 1929–2020
- Milton Nascimento Musician · b. 1942
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Milton mean?
The English place names are from Old English mylen (“mill”) or middel (“middle”) + tun (“settlement”).
How popular is the name Milton in 2025?
Milton ranked #1,440 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 125 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Milton?
118,551 babies have been named Milton in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Milton most popular?
Milton peaked in 1920, when 2,603 newborns received the name.
Is Milton a boy or girl name?
Milton is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Milton rising or falling?
Milton is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Milton?
Well-known people named Milton include Milton Friedman (economist), Milton H. Erickson (psychologist), Milton Obote (politician).