Carlton vs Ken

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Carlton

Boy #2,842 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"settlement of free men"

Origin: Old English

Cultural Roots

English American British

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,842
Total SSA Count
45
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Carl, Carl

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Carlton →

Ken

Boy #3,299 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"handsome, born of fire"

Origin: Scottish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

English American Scottish Japanese

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,299
Total SSA Count
36
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Kenny

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Ken →

Popularity Comparison

Carlton Rank #2,842
Ken Rank #3,299

Carlton is more popular, ranked #2842 vs #3299 for Ken.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Carlton ___

  • Carlton James
  • Carlton Edward
  • Carlton Thomas
  • Carlton William
  • Carlton Alexander
  • Carlton Joseph

Ken ___

  • Ken James
  • Ken Thomas
  • Ken Lee
  • Ken Wayne
  • Ken Scott
  • Ken Allen

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Carlton

Preston Reginald Clarence Victoria Adelaide

If you choose Ken

Gary Don Linda Susan Barbie

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carlton or Ken more popular?

Carlton is more popular, ranked #2842 compared to Ken at #3299 in the United States.

What do Carlton and Ken mean?

Carlton means "settlement of free men" (Old English origin). Ken means "handsome, born of fire" (Scottish Gaelic origin).

Are Carlton and Ken boy or girl names?

Carlton is primarily a boy name. Ken is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Carlton ← Full profile: Ken Browse all baby names