Anton is a masculine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Antonius. The name Antonius was originally a Roman gens or clan name, believed to have been brought into Rome by the Sabine people who settled there around the 7th century BC.
The meaning of the name Anton is generally considered to be "priceless" or "highly praiseworthy". This interpretation comes from the Latin word "antius", which means "precious" or "praiseworthy". The name has been popular throughout history, particularly among early Christians who adopted it as a means of honoring St. Antony the Great, an influential Christian ascetic and founder of monasticism.
Throughout history, Anton has been used by several notable figures, including Anton van Leeuwenhoek, the Dutch scientist and microscope innovator, and Anton Chekhov, the Russian playwright and short story writer. Today, Anton remains a popular name in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe, where it is often used as both a first and middle name.
In some languages, such as German and Swedish, Anton can also be derived from other names with similar meanings, such as Anthony or Antoine. Regardless of its origin, Anton has a strong and distinctive sound that makes it a memorable choice for parents looking to give their child a classic yet unique name.
The name Anton experienced a significant peak in popularity between 1912 and 1917, with over 300 births per year each of those years. However, it started to decline rapidly after the 1920s, dropping below 200 births per year by 1924. It remained relatively stable until around the late 1960s and early 1970s when it began a slow but steady increase, reaching another peak in the late 1970s with over 300 births in 1979. After this second peak, popularity of the name Anton has generally decreased, with fewer than 200 births per year since 2008.