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Elton

Pronunciation: [ EHLT-uhn ]

Boy Name #2,085 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Rocketman — an English gem with star power

English American
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Meaning & Origin

"old settlement"
Origin: Old English
Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

  • Strongly associated with Elton John; child may face 'are you named after Elton John?' throughout life

The Story of Elton

Elton is an English surname-turned-given-name derived from the Old English words 'Ella' (a personal name) plus 'tun' (settlement, enclosure, town), meaning 'Ella's town.' There are several villages named Elton across England — in Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Durham, and Herefordshire. The name began crossing over to given name use in the 19th century, following the broader fashion for place-derived surnames as first names.

Elton was a modest but steady name in English-speaking countries through the early 20th century. Its most famous bearer, Sir Elton John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight), transformed the name's cultural associations from quiet English village to flamboyant global superstar. The name is now virtually inseparable from his legacy.

Sir Elton John is one of the best-selling music artists in history, having sold over 300 million records worldwide. His adoption of the name Elton (inspired partly by his band mate Elton Dean) transformed an unremarkable English place-name into a globally recognized icon of music and pop culture.

Fun Facts

  • Sir Elton John was born Reginald Dwight and chose the name Elton after Elton Dean of Bluesology
  • Elton, Cambridgeshire is one of several English villages giving the name its geographic roots
  • Elton John has won 5 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and been knighted by Queen Elizabeth II

Elton in Other Languages

French Elton
Italian Elton
Spanish Elton
Portuguese Elton

Famous People Named Elton

E

Elton John

Musician

1947

British singer-songwriter and one of the best-selling musicians of all time, known for Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock, and T...

British singer-songwriter and one of the best-selling musicians of all time, known for Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock, and Tiny Dancer

E

Elton Mayo

Scientist

1880

Australian psychologist who pioneered the human relations movement in organizational management

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#2,085
Total SSA Count
72
Cultural Origins
English American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
Moderate

Common Nicknames

El

Pairs Well With

Elton John Elton James Elton Ray Elton Dean Elton Wayne Elton Lee

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Elton is also used as a girl name, ranked #10280.

View Elton as a girl name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Elton

What does the name Elton mean?
"old settlement" (from Old English). Elton is an English surname-turned-given-name derived from the Old English words 'Ella' (a personal name) plus 'tun' (settlement, enclosure, town), meaning 'Ella's town.' There are several villages named Elton across England — in Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Durham, and Herefordshire. The name began crossing over to given name use in the 19th century, following the broader fashion for place-derived surnames as first names.
What is the origin of the name Elton?
Elton has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "old settlement".
Is Elton a boy or girl name?
Elton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2085. As a girl name, it is ranked #10280. Elton is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Elton?
Elton is pronounced EHLT-uhn.
How popular is the name Elton?
Elton is currently ranked #2085 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elton?
Common nicknames for Elton include El.
What are good middle names for Elton?
Popular middle name pairings include Elton John, Elton James, Elton Ray, Elton Dean, Elton Wayne, and Elton Lee.
What are good sibling names for Elton?
Names that pair well with Elton as siblings include Clifton, Dalton, Norma, Gloria, Perry, and Wanda.
How many syllables does Elton have?
Elton has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Elton a common or rare name?
Elton is an uncommon name, ranked #2085 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Elton

Elton is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "old settlement" in Old English .

Is Elton a boy or girl name? Elton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,085 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #10,280. Elton is more commonly used as a boy name.

Elton is currently ranked #2,085 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Elton has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHLT-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Elton include El. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

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