Carlton is a name of English origin that has been used for males and females alike. It is derived from the Old English words "car" meaning strong or hardy, and "tun" which means settlement or farm. Therefore, Carlton can be translated to mean "strong farm" or "hardy settlement."
The name Carlton has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages in England. It was originally used as a surname for people who lived near a fortified enclosure known as a "Carlton." Over time, Carlton evolved from a surname into a given name.
In the United States, Carlton gained popularity during the mid-20th century and has remained a popular choice among parents ever since. Today, Carlton is still widely used as both a first and middle name for boys and girls.
While Carlton may be most commonly associated with the fictional character Carlton Banks from the television show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," it is important to note that this usage does not reflect the true origin or meaning behind the name. Instead, Carlton is a strong and historic name with a rich heritage that stands on its own merits.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Carlton has been a consistently popular choice for parents in the United States over the years, with a total of 277 babies given this name between 1920 and 1996.
The popularity of Carlton peaked in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with 16 births recorded in 1969. This decade saw several years with a high number of births, including 10 births in 1970 and 8 births in both 1974 and 1976.
Interestingly, the name Carlton was more popular among parents in the early-to-mid 20th century than it has been in recent decades. From 1993 onwards, there were only five years with more than five recorded births of Carlton: 8 births in 1992 and 6 births each in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996.
Overall, these statistics show that while Carlton may not be one of the most popular baby names today, it has been a enduring choice for parents throughout much of the past century.