Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Afton
GirlScottish· “from the Scottish river Afton”
- Meaning
- from the Scottish river Afton
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- AF-tuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,519
- US babies 2025
- 43
- Best rank
- #784 (1917)
- Peak year
- 1983
Meaning and origin of Afton
Afton is a Scottish name that is usually said to mean “from the Scottish river Afton”.
Afton comes from the River Afton in Ayrshire, Scotland, celebrated in the poem Sweet Afton, also known as Flow Gently, Sweet Afton, by Robert Burns. The river's name is often traced to a Gaelic word for stream or river, though the details are debated. As a given name, Afton has a soft, lyrical sound and a romantic literary association. It is usually pronounced AF-tun. The name fits the trend for place and nature names and has a quiet, graceful character.
Popularity over time
Afton first appears in US Social Security records in 1895. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 13 different years, starting in 1907. Its best national rank was #784 in 1917, and the most babies received it in 1983, when 186 were named Afton. In 2025, 43 babies were named Afton, and it ranked #3,519 nationally. That is 55% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #989 in 1920, #4,321 in 1950, #5,548 in 1980, #2,708 in 2000, #2,136 in 2010, and #3,519 in 2025. Of the 5,223 US girls named Afton since records began, 23% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 921 babies. Since 2010, 1,259 more have been named Afton.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Falon, Echo, Latoria, Shenna, and Shena.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Afton ranked highest in Utah and Minnesota.
Gender, sound and spelling
About 84% of US babies named Afton over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Afton is usually pronounced AF-tuhn, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Afton
A few middle names that flow with Afton: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Afton
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Lists that include Afton
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Afton mean?
Afton is a Scottish name that is usually said to mean “from the Scottish river Afton”.
What is the origin of the name Afton?
Afton has Scottish roots. Afton comes from the River Afton in Ayrshire, Scotland, celebrated in the poem Sweet Afton, also known as Flow Gently, Sweet Afton, by Robert Burns.
Is Afton a popular name?
Not especially. Afton ranked #3,519 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Afton a boy or girl name?
Afton is mainly a girl's name. About 84% of US babies named Afton over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Afton?
Afton is usually pronounced AF-tuhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings