Thornton: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

#8,190

among boys · ↑4,015 vs 2024

Babies in 2025

named Thornton

How common

1 in 170,808

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1921

75 babies

All-time total

3,132

#2,462 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Thornton popularity over time

3,132 babies have been named Thornton 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	127	13	–	#440
1890s	92	9	-28%	#478
1900s	105	11	+14%	#586
1910s	438	44	+317%	#674
1920s	551	55	+26%	#778
1930s	352	35	-36%	#978
1940s	370	37	+5%	#994
1950s	309	31	-16%	#1,166
1960s	207	21	-33%	#1,507
1970s	136	14	-34%	#2,281
1980s	101	10	-26%	#2,721
1990s	133	13	+32%	#3,759
2000s	87	9	-35%	#5,878
2010s	89	9	+2%	#6,627
2020s (to 2025)	35	6	-34%	#8,190

The story of Thornton

Thornton is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #8,190 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 3,132 American babies have been named Thornton. Its peak came in 1921, when 75 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 Thornton stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Thornton?

The median living Thornton is about 58 years old; half are between 33 and 73. An estimated 1,200 people named Thornton 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.

Thornton year by year

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

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	10	#8,190
2024	6	#12,205
2023	5	#13,984
2022	–	–
2021	6	#11,989
2020	8	#9,474
2019	8	#9,652
2018	11	#7,564
2017	13	#6,627
2016	10	#8,090
2015	9	#8,673
2014	11	#7,509
2013	10	#8,047
2012	8	#9,614
2011	9	#8,687
2010	–	–
2009	12	#7,190
2008	7	#10,926
2007	–	–
2006	12	#6,868
2005	9	#8,235
2004	10	#7,472
2003	11	#6,677
2002	6	#10,533
2001	8	#8,249
2000	12	#5,878
1995	14	#4,487
1990	16	#3,759
1985	8	#5,104
1980	18	#2,721
1975	20	#2,281
1970	12	#2,879
1965	11	#2,602
1960	17	#2,030
1955	22	#1,677
1950	39	#1,166
1945	33	#1,161
1940	34	#1,154
1935	37	#1,075
1930	47	#1,005
1925	50	#971
1920	68	#815
1915	64	#755
1910	20	#674
1905	7	#1,082
1900	11	#831
1895	12	#637
1890	6	#987
1885	5	#1,088
1880	12	#562

Famous people named Thornton

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

1 Thornton Wilder American playwright and novelist (1897–1975) 19th century

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Thornton?

The median living Thornton is about 58 years old. Half of all living Thorntons are between 33 and 73 years old.

How many people named Thornton are alive today?

An estimated 1,200 people named Thornton are alive in the United States, based on 3,132 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Thornton mean?

From Old English þorn (“thorn”) + tūn (“settlement”).

How popular is the name Thornton in 2025?

Thornton ranked #8,190 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Thornton?

3,132 babies have been named Thornton in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Thornton most popular?

Thornton peaked in 1921, when 75 newborns received the name.

Is Thornton a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Thornton rising or falling?

Thornton is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Thornton?

Well-known people named Thornton include Thornton Wilder (writer).

Names like Thornton

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

Compare Thornton with similar names → More names starting with T →