Given name & surname
Holton
“one who is whimsical”
Holton is used as a given name and a surname. One American interpretation is “one who is whimsical.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
One American interpretation is “one who is whimsical.”
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is American.
How it developed
From Old English hōh (“promontory, hill-spur”).
Adapted from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1914. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Holton through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,060
- 1,060 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 2021
- 51 babies
- 2025
- 40
- #3,056 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +7%
- Steady
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 40 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 3,056 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 7.2% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (5). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 771 as a first name in 2020; 10,790 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Holton’s family of names
Holton has a related form in Holtan. Holton has a related form in Holten. Holton has a related form in Holtin.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 6
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Holton, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Houston
“from the city in Texas” · “from Hugh's town”
96% boys · 4% girls
Hamilton
“a dreamer; one who is wishful” · “from the flat-topped hill”
>99% boys
Khalon
“a strong warrior”
>99% boys
Holden
“one who is willing and eager” · “from the hollow in the valley”
99% boys · 1% girls
Hollywood
“one who is cocky; one who is flashy”
>99% boys
Hawkins
“a cunning woman” · “resembling a small hawk”
97% boys · 3% girls
Hutch
“a unique man”
>99% boys
Cotton
“resembling the comfortable fabric” · “resembling 'or farmer of the plant”
>99% boys