Carlton vs Rick

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 →

Rick

Boy #2,948 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"powerful ruler, brave leader"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English American German Dutch

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2,948
Total SSA Count
42
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Ricky, Ric

Playground Safety Score

56 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme_pattern, :severity=>:low, :message=>"'Rick' ending sounds like 'sick/thick/dick'"}

Full profile for Rick →

Popularity Comparison

Carlton Rank #2,842
Rick Rank #2,948

Carlton is more popular, ranked #2842 vs #2948 for Rick.

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

Rick ___

  • Rick James
  • Rick Allen
  • Rick Lee
  • Rick Wayne
  • Rick Dale
  • Rick Martin

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Carlton

Preston Reginald Clarence Victoria Adelaide

If you choose Rick

Tom Mike Donna Diane Karen

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 Rick more popular?

Carlton is more popular, ranked #2842 compared to Rick at #2948 in the United States.

What do Carlton and Rick mean?

Carlton means "settlement of free men" (Old English origin). Rick means "powerful ruler, brave leader" (Germanic origin).

Are Carlton and Rick boy or girl names?

Carlton is primarily a boy name. Rick is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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