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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Settlement among thorn bushes
- Origin
- Old English (surname/place name)
- Gender
- Primarily used for boys
- Pronunciation
- THORN-tuhn
Thornton is an Old English surname and place name meaning 'settlement among thorn bushes' — a name with a literal, landscape-based origin rather than an abstract or symbolic one. If you like names that trace back to a real place description instead of a virtue or myth, Thornton fits that pattern. It reads as sturdy and grounded, tied to its Old English roots.
Meaning & Origin of Thornton
Meaning: Settlement among thorn bushes.
Origin: Old English (surname/place name).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Thornton
THORN-tuhnIPA /ˈθɔːrntən/
Popularity of Thornton
Thornton reached its highest point on the Social Security list in 1888, ranking #440 with 19 boys given the name that year. By 2024 it had dropped to #12159, given to just 6 boys, marking a long decline over more than a century of Social Security data.
Names Like Thornton
These names have followed a similar path to Thornton in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Thornton mean?
Settlement among thorn bushes. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Thornton?
Thornton is pronounced THORN-tuhn (IPA: /ˈθɔːrntən/).
Is Thornton a popular name right now?
Thornton peaked at #440 in 1888 and is ranked #12159 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Thornton Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Thornton, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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