Elton
Elton: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɛltən/
Meaning and origin of Elton
Root meaning: “eel”
- A male given name from Old English.
Etymology
From a number of sources, including: # For the places in Cheshire, County Durham, and Derbyshire, England: from Old English ēl (“eel”) + tūn (“farm, village”) since the village is situated above a small stream. Less likely, from Old English personal name Ella + tūn. # For the place in Cambridgeshire, England: from Middle English Adelintune, from Old English æþeling (“prince”) + tūn (“estate”). # For the place in Gloucestershire, England: from Middle English Elwinton, from Old English personal name Ælfwine + tūn (“estate”). # For the place in Herefordshire, England: from Middle English Elintona, from Old English *æling (“eel fishery”) + tūn (“estate”), in reference to nearby Wigmore Lake. # F
How popular is Elton?
Since 1880, 200 girls and 21,353 boys in the U.S. have been named Elton (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1399 in 1909. Its highest rank for boys was #278 in 1915. In 2025, 60 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Elton
Sister and brother names that share Elton's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Elton FAQ
What does the name Elton mean?
Elton traces back to a root meaning "eel". A male given name from Old English. From a number of sources, including: # For the places in Cheshire, County Durham, and Derbyshire, England: from Old English ēl (“eel”) + tūn (“farm, village”) since the village is situated above a small stream. Less likely, from Old English personal name Ella + tūn. # For the place in Cambridgeshire, England: from Middle English Adelintune, from Old English æþeling (“prince”) + tūn (“estate”). # For the place in Gloucestershire, England: from Middle English Elwinton, from Old English personal name Ælfwine + tūn (“estate”). # For the place in Herefordshire, England: from Middle English Elintona, from Old English *æling (“eel fishery”) + tūn (“estate”), in reference to nearby Wigmore Lake. # F
What is the origin of the name Elton?
Elton is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Elton?
Since 1880, 200 girls and 21,353 boys in the U.S. have been named Elton (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1399 in 1909. Its highest rank for boys was #278 in 1915. In 2025, 60 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Elton a boy or girl name?
Elton is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 200 girls and 21,353 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.