"flat-topped hill settlement"
Origin: Old English/Scottish
Language: English
Hamilton
Pronunciation: [ h-AM-uhlt-uhn ]
Does Hamilton flow with your last name?
A Founding Father's name, now a Broadway legend
American
Scottish
English
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Strong
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Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Hamilton
Hamilton is a Scottish surname derived from a place name, possibly from Old English hamel (flat-topped hill) and tun (settlement), or from the village of Hamilton in Lanarkshire, Scotland. As a first name, it gained prominence due to Alexander Hamilton, the American Founding Father. Lin-Manuel Miranda's 2015 Broadway musical Hamilton transformed the name into a modern cultural phenomenon, introducing his story to a new generation.
Hamilton surged as a given name following the massive success of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway musical Hamilton (2015). Parents seeking presidential and historical names turned to this Founding Father's surname-as-first-name. It has ranked consistently in the US top 500 since 2016.
Alexander Hamilton was the first US Secretary of the Treasury, founder of the US financial system, and a key author of the Federalist Papers. His face appears on the $10 bill. The musical Hamilton became a global cultural phenomenon, winning 11 Tony Awards in 2016.
Historical Record
Hamilton first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 4,134 babies have been named Hamilton in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Hamilton is past its peak , currently ranked #2,653 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Alexander Hamilton's face appears on the US $10 bill
- Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton won 11 Tony Awards in 2016
- Hamilton, Ontario, Canada is named for the Scottish town, not Alexander Hamilton
Hamilton in Other Languages
French
Hamilton
English
Hamilton
Spanish
Hamilton
Japanese
ハミルトン
Scottish
Hamilton
Popularity Over Time
#2,653
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Hamilton
L
A
Alexander Hamilton
Politician
1755
American Founding Father, first US Secretary of the Treasury, and subject of the Broadway musical Hamilton
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,653
- Total SSA Count
- 50
- Cultural Origins
- American Scottish English Canadian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Ham
Hammy
Hami
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Hamilton
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hamilton
What does the name Hamilton mean?
"flat-topped hill settlement" (from Old English/Scottish). Hamilton is a Scottish surname derived from a place name, possibly from Old English hamel (flat-topped hill) and tun (settlement), or from the village of Hamilton in Lanarkshire, Scotland. As a first name, it gained prominence due to Alexander Hamilton, the American Founding Father. Lin-Manuel Miranda's 2015 Broadway musical Hamilton transformed the name into a modern cultural phenomenon, introducing his story to a new generation.
What is the origin of the name Hamilton?
Hamilton has Old English/Scottish, American, Scottish, English, and Canadian origins. In Old English/Scottish, it means "flat-topped hill settlement".
Is Hamilton a boy or girl name?
Hamilton is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Hamilton?
Hamilton is pronounced h-AM-uhlt-uhn.
How popular is the name Hamilton?
Hamilton is currently ranked #2653 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Hamilton?
Common nicknames for Hamilton include Ham, Hammy, and Hami.
What are good middle names for Hamilton?
Popular middle name pairings include Hamilton James, Hamilton Alexander, Hamilton Lee, Hamilton Reed, Hamilton Gray, and Hamilton Cole.
What are good sibling names for Hamilton?
Names that pair well with Hamilton as siblings include Jefferson, Lincoln, Monroe, Eliza, Madison, and Phillip.
How many syllables does Hamilton have?
Hamilton has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Hamilton a common or rare name?
Hamilton is an uncommon name, ranked #2653 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Hamilton
Hamilton is a boy name with American, Scottish, English, and Canadian origins . The name means "flat-topped hill settlement" in Old English/Scottish .
Hamilton is currently ranked #2,653 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Hamilton has 3 syllables and is pronounced h-AM-uhlt-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Hamilton include Ham, Hammy, and Hami. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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