"from the coal settlement or dark town"
Origin: Old English place name
Language: English
Colton
Pronunciation: [ k-OHLT-uhn ]
Does Colton flow with your last name?
A rugged Western-flavored name with the cool nickname Colt
English
American
Modern
Strong
Bold
Earthy
Playful
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Meaning & Origin
"son of Cole"
Origin: English surname
Language: English
"coal town, dark settlement"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
"settlement by the charcoal burners"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: English
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The Story of Colton
Colton is an English surname-turned-given-name derived from a place name meaning settlement by the coal or dark settlement. The Old English elements col meaning charcoal or soot and tun meaning settlement or enclosure combine to give Colton its earthy, grounded origin. Several villages in England carry the name Colton, lending it solid topographic roots.
Colton surged as a given name in the US during the 1990s and 2000s, riding the wave of surname-style names ending in -ton such as Dalton, Preston, and Peyton. It entered the top 100 boys names around 2010 and appeals to parents who want a strong, Western-flavored name with the cool nickname Colt.
Colton evokes the American West and frontier spirit through its association with the word colt, a young horse. The name fits naturally in rural and Southern American communities and has a rugged, outdoorsy quality that appeals to parents seeking modern alternatives to classic names.
Historical Record
Colton first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 148,422 babies have been named Colton in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Colton is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #98 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Colton was one of the fastest-rising boys names in the US in the early 2000s
- Samuel Colt, inventor of the revolver, shares the Colt name element, adding to its American West associations
- There are several towns and villages named Colton in England, the US, and Canada
Colton in Other Languages
French
Colton
English
Colton
Spanish
Colton
Popularity Over Time
#98
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Colton
C
Colton Underwood
Entertainer
1992
Former NFL player and lead on The Bachelor Season 23
C
Colton Dixon
Musician
1991
American Christian pop and rock singer who rose to fame on American Idol Season 11
C
Colton Haynes
Actor
1988
American actor known for Arrow and Teen Wolf
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #98
- Total SSA Count
- 3,588
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Colt
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Colton
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Colton is also used as a girl name, ranked #21334.
View Colton as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Colton
What does the name Colton mean?
"from the coal settlement or dark town" (from Old English place name). "son of Cole" (from English surname). "coal town, dark settlement" (from Old English). "settlement by the charcoal burners" (from Anglo-Saxon). Colton is an English surname-turned-given-name derived from a place name meaning settlement by the coal or dark settlement. The Old English elements col meaning charcoal or soot and tun meaning settlement or enclosure combine to give Colton its earthy, grounded origin. Several villages in England carry the name Colton, lending it solid topographic roots.
What is the origin of the name Colton?
Colton has Old English place name, English surname, Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, and American origins. In Old English place name, it means "from the coal settlement or dark town". In English surname, it means "son of Cole". In Old English, it means "coal town, dark settlement". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "settlement by the charcoal burners".
Is Colton a boy or girl name?
Colton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #98. As a girl name, it is ranked #21334. Colton is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Colton?
Colton is pronounced k-OHLT-uhn.
How popular is the name Colton?
Colton is currently ranked #98 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Colton?
Common nicknames for Colton include Colt.
What are good middle names for Colton?
Popular middle name pairings include Colton James, Colton Lee, Colton Wayne, Colton Blake, Colton Reid, Colton Thomas, and Colton Scott.
What are good sibling names for Colton?
Names that pair well with Colton as siblings include Caden, Brayden, Preston, Jayden, Avery, Riley, and Savannah.
How many syllables does Colton have?
Colton has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Colton a common or rare name?
Colton is a very popular name, ranked #98 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to Colton?
About the Name Colton
Colton is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "from the coal settlement or dark town" in Old English place name .
Is Colton a boy or girl name? Colton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #98 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #21,334. Colton is more commonly used as a boy name.
Colton is currently ranked #98 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Colton has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-OHLT-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Colton include Colt. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Colton include Colter, Colt, Colten, Coltyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis