Molton
An archaic variant of the name Melton from an Old English surname for someone from the mill town.
Name Census estimates that about 0 living Americans carry the first name Molton. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Molton today is around 0 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Molton births was 1921 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Molton. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Molton. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
0
~ - Americans
Peak year
1921
5 babies that year
Average age
-
1921 SSA rank
#4,769
Tracked since 1921
Popularity
Molton: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Molton by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Molton during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Molton
The name Molton is a unique and intriguing one, with its origins shrouded in mystery and intrigue. It is believed to have its roots in the ancient language of Old English, which was spoken in parts of what is now modern-day England from the 5th to the 11th century AD. Scholars have traced the name back to the Old English word "molten," which referred to the process of melting or liquefying metals, particularly iron and steel.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Molton can be found in ancient manuscripts and chronicles from the 8th century, where it was used to refer to individuals who worked as blacksmiths or metalworkers. It is thought that these individuals may have been given the name as a reflection of their craft, as they were skilled in the art of molten metalworking.
One of the earliest known bearers of the name Molton was a renowned Anglo-Saxon blacksmith who lived in the Kingdom of Mercia during the 9th century. His skill and craftsmanship were legendary, and he is said to have forged weapons and armor for the Mercian kings and nobles of the time.
In the 12th century, a notable figure named Molton de Wyche was recorded as a prominent landowner and knight in the service of King Henry II. He is said to have fought valiantly in the king's campaigns and was rewarded with lands and titles for his loyalty and bravery.
During the Renaissance period, a celebrated Italian artist and sculptor named Molton Buonarroti (1475-1564) gained fame for his remarkable works in marble and bronze. He is often referred to as one of the greatest artists of the High Renaissance, and his masterpieces, such as the Pietà and the David, are among the most iconic sculptures in the world.
Another noteworthy individual with the name Molton was Sir Molton Raleigh (1554-1618), an English explorer, courtier, and writer who played a pivotal role in the colonization of the Americas. He is best known for his attempts to establish a colony on the coast of present-day North Carolina, which he named Virginia in honor of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 19th century, a renowned American industrialist and philanthropist named Molton Carnegie (1835-1919) left an indelible mark on history. Born in Scotland, he immigrated to the United States and became one of the wealthiest individuals of his time through his steel empire. He is also remembered for his philanthropic endeavors, particularly his funding of numerous public libraries and educational institutions across the country.
People
Molton + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Molton as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Molton: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Molton?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 0 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Molton going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about - US residents.
Is Molton a common name?
We classify Molton as "Very Rare". It ranks above 2.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Molton most popular?
The single biggest year for Molton was 1921, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Molton is about 0 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Molton in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Molton a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Molton in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Molton still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Molton in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Molton can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people share the name Molton?
Find out how many Americans are named Molton on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — a quick modern estimate with the living-bearer count front and centre.