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Colton

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOHL-tun /ˈkoʊl.tən/High

Meaning: Coal settlement; from Old English col (charcoal, coal) + tun (settlement, town)High

In 30 seconds: An Old English place name meaning 'coal settlement,' Colton has the sturdy American-frontier feel that has made -ton surname names so popular for boys in 21st-century America.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningCoal settlement; from Old English col (charcoal, coal) + tun (settlement, town)
Peak year2013
Total births (all-time)≈ 116,491

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201319132017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Colton derives from an Old English place name and surname meaning 'coal settlement' or 'dark farm,' from col (coal or charcoal) and tun (farm or settlement). Several English villages bear the Colton place name.

As a given name Colton became popular in the United States in the late 20th century, particularly in the South and West, as part of the broad vogue for -ton surname first names.

Did you know? Samuel Colt (1814–1862), the American inventor of the revolving firearms mechanism, helped cement the association of the Colt/Colton name with American frontier history.

Variations

KoltonKoltenColten

Nicknames

ColtCole

Famous Bearers

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If you like Colton…

Weston— -ton directional place name with the same rugged American two-syllable energy
Easton— directional -ton name with the same breezy American outdoors feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Colton mean?

Colton is an Old English place name meaning 'coal settlement' or 'dark farm,' from col (coal) and tun (settlement).

How do you pronounce Colton?

It is said KOHL-tun /ˈkoʊl.tən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Colton a boy or girl name?

Colton is used almost exclusively as a boy's name.

How popular is Colton?

Colton has been in the U.S. top 200 boys' names for several decades and remains popular.