Langston is an uncommon given name of American origin, derived from Old English elements 'hlæfn' meaning 'shining' and 'stone'. It was popularized during the Harlem Renaissance by poet and playwright Langston Hughes, born James Mercer Langston Hughes in 1902. Prior to Hughes, the name was virtually unknown, but his significant contributions to literature have made Langston a recognizable name with a distinctively artistic and intellectual association.
"The name Langston experienced a peak in popularity between 2008 and 2011, with 26 to 31 births each year. However, it has since declined, dropping from 24 births in 2012 to just 9 births in both 2022 and 2023."