Hampton is an English masculine given name. It originates from the Old English words "ham" meaning village or homestead and "tun" which means enclosed settlement. Therefore, Hampton literally translates to "enclosed homestead". The name has been used in England since at least the Middle Ages and was popular among the aristocracy.
The earliest recorded instance of the name is in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Hamtona". Over time, the spelling evolved into Hampton. There are several places named Hampton throughout England, most notably Hampton Court Palace which served as a residence for several monarchs including Henry VIII and William III.
Hampton has been used as a given name since at least the 17th century. It was particularly popular among Puritans during this time period due to its biblical associations. The name can also be found in literature, most notably in Charles Dickens' novel "The Pickwick Papers" where one of the characters is named Samuel Hampton.
Throughout history, people with the name Hampton have included notable figures such as Sir Arthur Hampton, a 16th-century English knight and politician, and Thomas Hampton, an early settler of America who arrived on the ship "Susan and Ellen" in 1635. Today, Hampton remains a relatively uncommon but distinctive given name choice for boys.
The name Hampton has seen a steady increase in popularity over the past two decades in the United States. From just 5 births in 1998, it experienced a significant jump to 11 births in 2007, indicating that more parents were choosing this unique name for their newborn sons during this period.
Following a slight decline between 2008 and 2012, with an average of around 6 births per year, Hampton's popularity began to surge once again. In 2015, there were 14 births, more than doubling the previous year's total of 7 births. This upward trend continued through 2016 (10 births) and 2017 (15 births), suggesting that parents are increasingly considering Hampton as an attractive name choice for their sons.
While the number of Hampton births dipped slightly in 2018 (8 births) and 2020 (11 births), it has since rebounded strongly, with 18 births recorded in 2022 and a remarkable 22 births in 2023. This recent surge demonstrates that Hampton remains an appealing name choice for many parents today.
In total, there have been 202 births of the name Hampton in the United States since 1998. This consistent growth in popularity over time suggests that Hampton is a name with enduring appeal, even as it continues to remain relatively uncommon compared to more popular choices like Noah and Liam. Parents who choose Hampton for their sons may be drawn to its unique sound, historical significance, or desire to give their child an uncommon yet memorable name.