Horton Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Horton originates from Old English, meaning 'mud settlement'. It has evolved through the centuries from Hortun to its modern form. The name is not associated with biblical texts and gained popularity as a surname in medieval England. It is viewed positively today, often linked to nature and rural life, and has been borne by notable figures in arts and literature.
The name Horton is most popular in Alabama, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Horton has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Horton' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1718th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2434th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3824th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10718th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 16616th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 24088th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Horton' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Horton"
Pronunciation
/ˈhɔːrtən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Horton is derived from the Old English elements 'hor' meaning 'mud' and 'tun' meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement'. It is typically used as a surname and can also refer to place names in England.
Meaning
mud settlement
Language Evolution
Old English: Hortun, Middle English: Horten, Modern English: Horton
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity as a surname in England during the medieval period, particularly associated with various places named Horton.
Variants & Derivatives
Hort, Horty
Modern Popularity & Image
Horton is perceived as a traditional English name with a rustic charm, often associated with pastoral settings.
Famous People
Horton Foote, American playwright and screenwriter, Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss, a notable character in children's literature
📊 Horton Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Horton Name Visualizations
✨ Horton Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 28 peak births in 1922
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in Alabama
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Horton"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Horton"
"Horton" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1718th of 7545 | 313 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2434th of 6773 | 178 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3824th of 7552 | 80 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 10718th of 10718 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 16616th of 16616 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 24088th of 24088 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Horton" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
84.53% 2000th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Horton" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Horton"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Horton" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.