Knighton
A boy's name of Old English origin with 48 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A placename: A town and community in Powys, Wales, on the border with England; its railway station is across the River Teme in Shropshire, England . A number of places in England: A settlement in Wembury parish, South Hams district, Devon . A hamlet in Beer Hackett parish, Dorset . A hamlet in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Dorset . A hamlet in Newchurch parish, on the Isle of Wight . The K is usually pronounced to distinguish it from Niton. A suburb of Leicester, Leicestershire . A hamlet in Compton Beauchamp parish, Vale of White Horse district, Oxfordshire . A hamlet in Stogursey parish, Somerset . A hamlet in Loggerheads parish, Newcastle-under-Lyme district, Staffordshire, on the Shropshire border . A hamlet in Ramsbury parish, Wiltshire . A hamlet in Inkberrow parish, Wychavon district, Worcestershire .
Knighton is a boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the place name meaning 'settlement of the knights' or 'knight's farm,' combining the Old English cniht (knight, young man) and tun (settlement). Multiple villages in England and Wales bear this name.
Knighton carries the chivalric imagery of its etymology — a name with medieval English roots and a built-in sense of honor and duty, rare as a given name but immediately striking.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Knighton is a boy's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (2009–2022). Its Old English roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 48 total births, Knighton exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Knighton has 7+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2009.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 37 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 6 | — |
The Story of Knighton
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2018, Knighton is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Knighton are most likely born between 2009 and 2022.
How rare is Knighton?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Knighton is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2009, peaked in the 2010s with 37 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Knighton by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(7 years, 2009–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | #13453 |
| 2019 | 5 | #13223 |
| 2018 | 11 | #7401 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11537 |
| 2015 | 7 | #10159 |
| 2014 | 8 | #9259 |
| 2009 | 6 | #11816 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knighton a boy's or girl's name?
When was Knighton most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2009–2022