Milton

Pronunciation: [ m-IHLT-uhn ]

Boy Name #1,429 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A distinguished English name with towering literary prestige

English American

Vintage Classic Literary Traditional Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"mill town, settlement by the mill"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

The Story of Milton

Milton is an Old English place name meaning 'mill town' or 'settlement by the mill,' derived from 'mylen' (mill) and 'tun' (settlement, farm, town). It was originally a surname for people from any of several English villages named Milton. The name gained prestige as a given name largely through the towering reputation of the poet John Milton, whose Paradise Lost shaped English literature for centuries.

Milton was a popular given name in the United States from the 1880s through the 1950s, particularly among families who admired literary or intellectual culture. It peaked in the 1920s-1930s and has declined steadily since. It is experiencing gentle revival interest as vintage names trend upward.

John Milton (1608-1674) wrote Paradise Lost, one of the greatest epic poems in the English language, cementing the name's literary prestige for generations. Milton Friedman, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, gave the name an intellectual dimension in the 20th century.

Fun Facts

John Milton wrote Paradise Lost while completely blind, dictating it to scribes and his daughters — one of literature's greatest achievements
Milton Friedman's economic ideas directly shaped national policy in both the United States and United Kingdom during the 1980s

Milton in Other Languages

French Milton

Spanish Milton

Portuguese Milton

Famous People Named Milton

Milton Friedman

Scientist

1912

American Nobel Prize-winning economist who championed free market capitalism and monetarism

Milton Berle

Entertainer

1908

American comedian known as 'Uncle Miltie' and 'Mr. Television,' one of the first stars of American television

John Milton

Writer

1608

English poet and civil servant, author of Paradise Lost, widely considered one of the greatest works in the English lang...

English poet and civil servant, author of Paradise Lost, widely considered one of the greatest works in the English language

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,429
Total SSA Count: 128
Cultural Origins: English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Milt

Pairs Well With

Milton James Milton Edward Milton Charles Milton Henry Milton Robert Milton Thomas

Sibling Names

Florence Eleanor Clifford Mabel Edith Walter

Also a Girl Name

Milton is also used as a girl name, ranked #24114.

View Milton as a girl name →

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Frequently Asked Questions About Milton

What does the name Milton mean?

"mill town, settlement by the mill" (from Old English). Milton is an Old English place name meaning 'mill town' or 'settlement by the mill,' derived from 'mylen' (mill) and 'tun' (settlement, farm, town). It was originally a surname for people from any of several English villages named Milton. The name gained prestige as a given name largely through the towering reputation of the poet John Milton, whose Paradise Lost shaped English literature for centuries.

What is the origin of the name Milton?

Milton has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "mill town, settlement by the mill".

Is Milton a boy or girl name?

Milton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1429. As a girl name, it is ranked #24114. Milton is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Milton?

Milton is pronounced m-IHLT-uhn.

How popular is the name Milton?

Milton is currently ranked #1429 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Milton?

Common nicknames for Milton include Milt.

What are good middle names for Milton?

Popular middle name pairings include Milton James, Milton Edward, Milton Charles, Milton Henry, Milton Robert, and Milton Thomas.

What are good sibling names for Milton?

Names that pair well with Milton as siblings include Florence, Eleanor, Clifford, Mabel, Edith, and Walter.

How many syllables does Milton have?

Milton has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Milton a common or rare name?

Milton is an uncommon name, ranked #1429 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Milton

Milton is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "mill town, settlement by the mill" in Old English .

Is Milton a boy or girl name? Milton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,429 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #24,114. Milton is more commonly used as a boy name.

Milton is currently ranked #1,429 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Milton has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-IHLT-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

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