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Home › Baby Names Directory › Canton

Canton

♂ Boy

Pronounced KAN-tun /ˈkæn.tən/High

Meaning: From the word/place canton — 'a corner; a division/district; a small territory' (from French/Latin); also an English place and surname; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A corner; a district; a small territory: Canton is a place/word name. Crisp, modern, and warm.
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Origin LowEnglish, French
MeaningFrom the word/place canton — 'a corner; a division/district; a small territory' (from French/Latin); also an English place and surname; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#5241 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births18 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2015
Total births (all-time)≈ 538

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201519882025

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

Canton comes from the word and place canton — 'a corner; a division/district; a small territory' (French/Latin, as in the Swiss cantons), and also an English place and surname (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, modern name (said 'KAN-tun'; nickname Cant).

In the U.S. it appears thinly as a first name. Rare, a-corner-and-a-district at the root, and modern.

Did you know? Canton means 'a corner; a division/district; a small territory' (from French/Latin, as in the Swiss cantons) — also an English place and surname — a crisp, modern name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'KAN-tun').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Canton — place/word; routes layered

Variations

Kanton

Nicknames

Cant

Famous Bearers

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If you like Canton…

Canyon— a sound-neighbor Can- nature/word boys' name
Carson— a fellow -on surname boys' name
Camden— a companion place/surname boys' name
Colton— another -ton boys' name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Canton mean?

Canton means 'a corner; a division/district; a small territory'; it is also a place and surname, so the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Canton?

It's said KAN-tun /ˈkæn.tən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Canton a boy or girl name?

Canton is a boy's name.

How popular is Canton?

Canton is a rare name in the U.S.

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