Afton, of Germanic origin, is a unisex given name that has gained popularity in recent times. It is derived from the Old English word 'æfþen' which translates to "from the estuary." The name Afton thus signifies a connection to water and natural surroundings. Historically, it was used as both a boy's and girl's name but today it is more commonly associated with females in many cultures.
The name Afton experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century. After peaking at around 20 births per year between 1915 and 1921, it saw a steady decline until the 1940s, with fewer than 10 births annually for most years from 1930 to 1942. The name remained relatively uncommon throughout much of the mid-20th century, with only a handful of births each year between 1950 and 1986. However, since the late 1980s, Afton has seen renewed popularity, particularly in recent years, with over 20 births recorded annually from 2007 to 2013, and again from 2019 to 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 830 births named Afton since 1910.