The first name Thornton

Thornton last appeared in the official list in 2014, given to 3 boys.

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Thornton with other names.

In 2025, 10 boys born in the United States were named Thornton, the 8,190th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1921, when 75 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Thornton Wilder
  American playwright and novelist (1897–1975)
• Thornton Freeland
  Film director (1898–1987)
• Asa Butterfield
  English actor, born 1997
• Samuel T. Durrance
  American scientist (1943–2023)
• Lewis Powell
  American soldier and conspirator (1844–1865)
• T. Hee
  American animator, director and teacher (1911–1988)

• Tyler
• Alfred
• Blake
• Grayson
• Stanley
• Tom
• Wyatt
• Miles
• Brandon
• Maxwell
• Landon
• Bradley
• Spencer
• Wesley
• Colton
• Hugh

All 216 names of English origin

What does the name Thornton mean?

Thornton means “thorn”, “settlement” in English.

What is the origin of the name Thornton?

From Old English þorn (“thorn”) + tūn (“settlement”).

How popular is the name Thornton?

In 2014, 3 boys born in England and Wales were named Thornton, ranking 4,632nd.

Is Thornton a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 3,132 US babies named Thornton since 1880 were boys.

When was Thornton most popular?

1921 in the United States, when 75 babies were named Thornton, its highest rank at 778th.

How do you pronounce Thornton?

Thornton is /ˈθɔː(ɹ)ntən/, 2 syllables.

Is Thornton also a surname?

Yes. Thornton is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.