Hamilton is a name of English origin that has been popular for centuries. It is derived from the Old English word "hamels" which means "homestead" or "settlement". The name was originally given to people who lived near such settlements.
The name Hamilton has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It was first used as a surname and was often associated with Scottish clans. One of the most famous Hamiltons is Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the United States and the first Secretary of the Treasury. He was born out of wedlock in the West Indies and eventually immigrated to the United States where he played a crucial role in shaping its early history.
Over time, Hamilton has also become popular as a given name. It has been used by families for generations and continues to be a favored choice today. In fact, it was one of the top 500 most popular boys' names in the United States in recent years.
Overall, Hamilton is a strong and historic name with a rich heritage behind it. Whether used as a surname or given name, it carries a sense of tradition and importance that has endured for centuries.
The name Hamilton has been consistently popular in the United States over the past century and a half, with a total of 6,428 births recorded between 1880 and 2023.
In the late 19th century, there was significant variation in the number of babies named Hamilton each year. Between 1880 and 1900, the annual birth count ranged from a low of 6 in 1888 to a high of 29 in 1897.
The early 20th century saw a steady increase in the popularity of the name Hamilton, with more than 45 births recorded every year between 1911 and 1927. The most popular decade for the name was the 1920s, with an average of 68 babies named Hamilton each year.
However, the Great Depression and World War II led to a decline in popularity for the name Hamilton, with fewer than 40 births recorded annually between 1932 and 1945. After the war, the name began to regain popularity, with an average of around 40 births per year throughout the 1950s.
The 1960s saw a further increase in popularity for the name Hamilton, with more than 30 births recorded every year between 1961 and 1970. However, this trend did not continue into the 1970s, with fewer than 45 babies named Hamilton each year throughout that decade.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Hamilton has fluctuated, with some years seeing more than 90 births (such as in 2008 and 2013) and others seeing fewer than 60 (such as in 2020 and 2023). Overall, however, the name Hamilton remains a popular choice among parents in the United States.