UK boy's name
Alton
From Old English meaning "source of the river or stream".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Alton is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Alton popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3013, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 7 births.
This profile covers 32 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 1999 to 2019. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 86% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 32 living people in the UK are called Alton. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Alton ranked #3013 for boys in England and Wales in 2019, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 7 boys were registered as Alton.
- • About 32 living people in the UK are estimated to have Alton as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3013
2019
Births in 2019
6
Latest year
Peak year
2012
7 births
Estimated living
32
2026
Meaning
What does Alton mean?
The name Alton has its origins in the Old English language, derived from the words "ald" meaning old and "tun" meaning town or enclosure. It was initially a place name referring to an old town or settlement, often associated with rural areas in England.
In the Middle Ages, the name Alton was commonly used as a surname, particularly among families residing in or near places bearing this name. Over time, it transitioned into a given name, though its earliest recorded use as a first name is not entirely clear.
One of the earliest known references to the name Alton can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and settlements in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The book mentions several places called Alton, indicating the name's prevalence as a place name during the Norman period.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Alton. One of the earliest was Alton of Flamstead (c. 1330-1399), an English clergyman and philosopher who wrote extensively on logic and metaphysics. Another prominent figure was Alton Brown (1562-1632), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament during the reign of King James I.
In the 18th century, Alton Shrigley (1714-1788) was a notable English architect and surveyor who designed several churches and public buildings in the London area. During the American Revolutionary War, Alton Allen (1738-1823) was a patriot and militia leader from Vermont who played a significant role in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga.
In more recent times, Alton Pollard (1943-2022) was an American blues musician and songwriter known for his contributions to the Memphis blues scene. Alton Brown (born 1962) is a renowned American chef, author, and television personality, best known for hosting the popular food shows "Good Eats" and "Iron Chef America."
While the name Alton has its roots in Old English, it has been used across various cultures and languages over the centuries. Its enduring presence in history reflects its connection to rural settlements and the longevity of place names that have evolved into personal names.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Alton over time
The chart below shows babies named Alton registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Alton, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2019, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Alton by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Alton was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #2809 | 20 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3801 | 9 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2943 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Alton
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Alton: questions and answers
How popular is the name Alton in the UK right now?
In 2019, Alton was ranked #3013 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Alton most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 7 babies registered as Alton in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Alton?
From Old English meaning "source of the river or stream".
How many people are called Alton in the UK?
A total of 32 babies have been registered as Alton across the 7 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.