Burton
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 22,464 recorded births. Also given to 48 girls.
Meaning & Origin
An English habitational surname from Old English for someone who lived in any of several places with that name.
Burton is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the English place name meaning 'fortified settlement' or 'settlement near a hill,' from Old English burh (fort) and tun (settlement). Burton has been used as a first name since the 19th century.
Richard Burton — the Welsh actor who was twice married to Elizabeth Taylor and is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation — gave this name enduring Hollywood glamour. The name carries the weight of a specific kind of brooding, intellectual masculinity associated with Burton's extraordinary career and complicated personal life.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Burton belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their solid, balanced ending — a versatile ending found across many naming traditions. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Old English naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Old English names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Burton’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Burton was #3226 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5076, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 136 | #4074 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 278 | #3828 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 250 | #3767 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 323 | #2518 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 674 | #1194 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 981 | #840 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 1,560 | #623 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 1,998 | #521 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 2,960 | #365 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 4,273 | #263 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 5,225 | #244 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 2,741 | #275 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 404 | #329 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 313 | #325 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 348 | #290 | — |
The Story of Burton
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1925, Burton is a name steeped in history. Boys named Burton are most likely born between 1915 and 1935.
How rare is Burton?
Only about 1 in every 189,474 babies born in 2024 was named Burton — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 5,225 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Burton by the numbers
- More Burtons than the population of a small U.S. town
- Would fill 468 school buses
- Meeting one Burton per day would take 61.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(145 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 | #5076 |
| 2023 | 31 | #3633 |
| 2022 | 35 | #3345 |
| 2021 | 31 | #3592 |
| 2020 | 20 | #4724 |
| 2019 | 24 | #4243 |
| 2018 | 22 | #4497 |
| 2017 | 25 | #4122 |
| 2016 | 25 | #4113 |
| 2015 | 36 | #3159 |
| 2014 | 27 | #3802 |
| 2013 | 30 | #3511 |
| 2012 | 36 | #3120 |
| 2011 | 27 | #3806 |
| 2010 | 26 | #3909 |
| 2009 | 26 | #3930 |
| 2008 | 19 | #4922 |
| 2007 | 29 | #3606 |
| 2006 | 25 | #3905 |
| 2005 | 31 | #3251 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Burton as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Burton has also been given to 48 girls in the U.S. since 1916.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burton a boy's or girl's name?
When was Burton most popular?
How popular is the name Burton?
Can Burton be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024