Anton

♂ Boy

Pronounced AN-ton /ˈæn.tɑn/Medium

Meaning: Continental European form of Anthony, from the Roman family name Antonius, of uncertain (likely Etruscan) meaning.Medium

In 30 seconds: Anton is the continental European form of Anthony, from the Roman family name Antonius, whose meaning is uncertain and likely Etruscan.

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Origin MediumGerman, Latin, Russian

MeaningContinental European form of Anthony, from the Roman family name Antonius, of uncertain (likely Etruscan) meaning.

U.S. rank (2025)#1389 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births132 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1915

Total births (all-time)≈ 23,915

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Anton carries Anthony into German, Scandinavian, Slavic, and other European traditions. It descends from the old Roman clan name Antonius, whose original meaning is genuinely uncertain and probably Etruscan rather than Latin. That cloudy etymology is part of the honest picture: the name is ancient, but its first sense is lost.

The Russian writer Anton Chekhov, author of 'The Cherry Orchard' and 'The Seagull', is among its best-known bearers. Related forms include Antoon, Antonie, and the original Antonius.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Anton is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Anton — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

AntoonAntonieAntoniusAndonAntoniy

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)
Russian playwright and short-story writer widely regarded as one of the greatest authors of short fiction, known for works like 'The Cherry Orchard' and 'The Seagull'.

If you like Anton…

Anthony— the English name Anton is the continental form of

London— lands in the same popularity range

Maxton— shares the -on ending

Leon— a similarly popular pick

Daemon— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Anton

By themegerman russian

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Anton mean?

Anton is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with German tradition.

How do you pronounce Anton?

It's commonly said AN-ton /ˈæn.tɑn/.

Is Anton a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Anton is used as a boy name.

How popular is Anton?

In 2024, Anton ranked #1477 in the U.S. for boys, with 122 births recorded.