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Home › Baby Names Directory › Carleton

Carleton

♂ Boy

Pronounced KARL-tun /ˈkɑːrl.tən/Medium

Meaning: From the English surname and place name Carleton (a variant of Carlton), Old English ceorl, 'free man; peasant,' plus tun, 'settlement, town' -- 'the free men's town.' A dignified surname-name.Medium

In 30 seconds: A surname-name with a settled ring: Carleton means 'free peasants' town' (said 'KARL-tun'). Formal and vintage.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English surname and place name Carleton (a variant of Carlton), Old English ceorl, 'free man; peasant,' plus tun, 'settlement, town' -- 'the free men's town.' A dignified surname-name.
U.S. rank (2023)#11048 ↗ Rising
2023 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1923
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,839

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192318802023

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

Carleton comes from the Old English for 'the free peasants' settlement' (ceorl + tun), a place name turned surname turned given name. It crested around 1923 with dignified surname-names, then faded behind Carlton (said 'KARL-tun').

It peaked in the early 1920s and then declined. Vintage, surname-style, and formal.

Did you know? Carleton is an English place-and-surname name, 'the free men's town' (ceorl + tun). As a first name it read as gentlemanly and peaked around 1923, then gave way to the shorter Carlton and Carl (said 'KARL-tun').
Overall data confidence 55%
References -- Carleton — Variant of Carlton; Old English 'free peasants' town'

Variations

CarltonCharltonKarlton

Nicknames

CarlCole

Famous Bearers

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If you like Carleton…

Carlton— the standard spelling
Everett— a like surname-name
Hamilton— a like -ton place-surname
Weston— a like dignified surname pick

Explore names like Carleton

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Carleton mean?

Carleton is an English place and surname name meaning 'the free men's (peasants') town.'

How do you pronounce Carleton?

It's said KARL-tun /ˈkɑːrl.tən/ -- two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Carleton a boy or girl name?

Carleton is a boy's name.

How popular is Carleton?

Carleton is a vintage surname-name; it saw its best use in the early twentieth century and is rare today.

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