The name Trenton is believed to have originated from the Old English word "Tréntún," which means "the farm or settlement on the River Trent." The River Trent is a major river in central England, and many towns and villages along its banks were named after it during the Anglo-Saxon period, including the city of Trenton in New Jersey, USA.

The earliest recorded use of the name Trenton dates back to the 11th century in England. It was primarily used as a surname or a place name before becoming a popular given name in later centuries. One of the earliest known individuals with the name Trenton was Trenton de Malebisse, a Norman nobleman who lived in the 12th century and was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1166.

In the Middle Ages, the name Trenton was sometimes associated with religious figures or saints. For instance, there was a Saint Trenton who was a 6th-century Welsh abbot and founder of the monastery of Llantrisant in South Wales. However, there is limited historical information available about this individual.

During the Renaissance period, the name Trenton gained popularity in England and other parts of Europe. One notable figure from this era was Trenton Oldfield Robins (1535-1607), an English merchant and explorer who was one of the earliest English settlers in the Virginia Colony in North America.

In the 19th century, the name Trenton became more widespread in the United States, particularly after the city of Trenton, New Jersey was established and named after the River Trent. One famous individual with this name was Trenton Haselden Tims (1828-1909), an American Baptist minister and educator who served as the president of Wake Forest College (now Wake Forest University) from 1854 to 1862.

Another notable person with the name Trenton was Trenton Davis Jerwitz (1898-1976), an American baseball player who played for the Philadelphia Athletics and the Boston Red Sox in the 1920s. He was known for his exceptional fielding skills and was part of the 1923 World Series championship team with the Athletics.

In the 20th century, the name Trenton continued to be used, though it remained relatively uncommon. One famous bearer of this name was Trenton Lee Stewart (born 1970), an American author best known for writing the children's book series "The Mysterious Benedict Society."