The name Milton is an English given name derived from the Old English words "mill" and "tun", meaning "mill town" or "mill village". It originated as a place name and was later adopted as a surname, and eventually also as a given name.

The earliest recorded use of the name Milton as a given name dates back to the 12th century. One notable bearer of the name was the English poet John Milton, who lived from 1608 to 1674 and is best known for his epic poem "Paradise Lost".

Another famous Milton was the American statesman and diplomat Milton S. Eisenhower, who was born in 1899 and served as the President of Pennsylvania State University and the President of Johns Hopkins University.

In the world of literature, Milton Avery was an American modern painter who lived from 1885 to 1965 and was known for his colorful and poetic depictions of scenes from daily life.

Milton Friedman, born in 1912 and died in 2006, was an American economist and statistician who received the 1976 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his research on consumption analysis, monetary history and theory, and the complexity of stabilization policy.

Milton Berle, who lived from 1908 to 2002, was an American comedian and actor, known as "Mr. Television" and "Uncle Miltie" for his contributions to the early days of television in the United States.

While the name Milton has its roots in Old English, it has been used across various cultures and time periods, with notable bearers contributing to fields such as literature, politics, art, and economics.