Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Colton
BoyEnglish, Old English· “from an English place name”
- Meaning
- from an English place name
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- KOHL-tuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #103
- US babies 2025
- 3,420
- Best rank
- #59 (2019)
- Peak year
- 2013
Meaning and origin of Colton
Colton is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
Colton comes from an English surname taken from several place names, often explained as the town or settlement of a man called Cola, from Old English tun. Other Coltons may take their first element from a word for coal or for colt, so the exact sense varies by place. As a first name it is largely an American development, riding the popularity of two-syllable surname names ending in -ton. It has a rugged, Western feel and a clean sound. Colt is a short form with extra swagger, and Colten is a common alternative spelling.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kolton.
Popularity over time
Colton first appears in US Social Security records in 1913. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 44 different years, starting in 1982. Its best national rank was #59 in 2019, and the most babies received it in 2013, when 6,490 were named Colton. In 2025, 3,420 babies were named Colton, and it ranked #103 nationally. That is 46% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,268 in 1920, #2,338 in 1950, #1,701 in 1980, #111 in 2000, #73 in 2010, and #103 in 2025. Of the 151,965 US boys named Colton since records began, 38% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 34,249 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jace, Dominic, Ayden, Blake, and Bentley.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Colton ranked highest in Alaska, West Virginia, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | #13 | 27 |
| West Virginia | #23 | 43 |
| New Hampshire | #27 | 35 |
| Maine | #30 | 30 |
| Kentucky | #35 | 101 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Colton is usually pronounced KOHL-tuhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with C and ends in “-on”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kolton.
Middle names for Colton
A few middle names that flow with Colton: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Colton
Similar names
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LAN-duhn
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BRAN-duhn
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“leek enclosure or herb garden” · English
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Lists that include Colton
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Colton mean?
Colton is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
What is the origin of the name Colton?
Colton has English and Old English roots. Colton comes from an English surname taken from several place names, often explained as the town or settlement of a man called Cola, from Old English tun.
Is Colton a popular name?
Yes. Colton ranked #103 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Colton a boy or girl name?
Colton is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Colton?
Colton is usually pronounced KOHL-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