This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance
- Meaning
- Mill settlement or middle settlement (Old English mylen/middel + tun)
- Origin
- English (surname/place name)
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- MIL-tun
Milton traces back to English surname and place-name roots, built from Old English words meaning "mill settlement" or "middle settlement." It's a name with a practical, place-based history rather than an abstract one — it once simply told you where someone was from. If you're drawn to names with a grounded, old-English backstory, Milton fits that mold.
Meaning & Origin of Milton
Meaning: Mill settlement or middle settlement (Old English mylen/middel + tun).
Origin: English (surname/place name).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Milton
MIL-tunIPA /ˈmɪltən/
Popularity of Milton
Milton has fallen a long way from its high point: in 1912 it ranked #64 with 1,319 babies given the name, but by 2024 it had dropped to #1428 with just 128. SSA records run from 1880 to 2024, and across that span Milton has gone from a common choice to a rare one.
Names Like Milton
Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.
FAQ
What does the name Milton mean?
Mill settlement or middle settlement (Old English mylen/middel + tun). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Milton?
Milton is pronounced MIL-tun (IPA: /ˈmɪltən/).
Is Milton a popular name right now?
Milton peaked at #64 in 1912 and is ranked #1428 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Milton Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Milton, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Milton? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →
