Belton is an unusual and distinctive given name of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word "beald" which means bold or brave, and the suffix "-ton," which typically denotes a settlement or town.
The name Belton is believed to have originated as a habitational name, denoting someone who came from a place named Belton. There are several places in England called Belton, including villages in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Northamptonshire. It is also possible that the name was bestowed as a personal name inspired by its meaning.
Belton has not been particularly common throughout history, but it has been recorded in various forms since the Middle Ages. In some cases, it may have been confused with similar-sounding names such as Beaton or Betton.
In literature and popular culture, Belton is occasionally encountered as a character's name. For example, there is a character named Belton Fitzwarren in the novel "The Life and Adventures of the Most Celebrated Knight-errant Robyn Hode" by Joseph Ritson.
Overall, Belton is an uncommon but intriguing given name with a strong and distinctive meaning. Its English origins and historical connections to certain places make it a name with a unique identity and character.
Belton is a unique and distinctive name that has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States. Here's an overview of its usage based on available statistics:
The earliest recorded birth for the name Belton in the U.S. was in 1881, with five occurrences. This number remained consistent over the next decade or so, fluctuating between five and eight births per year until 1902 when it jumped to seven.
From 1903 onwards, we start seeing more significant changes in the popularity of the name Belton:
* In 1910, there were ten births, marking a noticeable increase from previous years.
* The following years showed steady growth, with peaks such as 21 births in 1914 and 32 births in both 1918 and 1920.
The peak popularity of the name Belton occurred between 1918 and 1923, during which there were consistently high numbers of babies named Belton (ranging from 23 to 33 births per year).
However, after this period, the usage of the name began to decline:
* By the late 1930s and early 1940s, the number of annual Belton births dropped significantly, ranging between seven and twenty.
* This downward trend continued into the 1950s and 1960s, with numbers varying between six and nineteen per year.
In more recent years:
* There were five Belton births recorded in both 1986 and 1989.
* The name saw a slight resurgence in the early 2000s, with six births recorded in 2002.
Overall, based on these statistics, it can be observed that while the name Belton has not been extremely popular throughout history, it has experienced periods of notable usage, particularly between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite its fluctuations in popularity, Belton remains an uncommon yet noteworthy name choice for parents seeking something distinctive for their child.