Denton is a unique and intriguing name of English origin. It is derived from an old English word "den" which means "valley". The name was initially used as a surname for someone who lived in or owned land in such a valley.
The earliest record of the name Denton can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was listed as a place name. Over time, the name has evolved and been adapted into various forms such as Dentone, Dentonell, and even Denison.
In terms of popularity, Denton is not a particularly common name today. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, there were only 28 babies named Denton in 2019, making it the 4,573rd most popular boys' name that year.
Despite its rarity, Denton has been worn by notable figures throughout history. For instance, Thomas R. Denton was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War who received the Medal of Honor for his bravery in battle.
In literature and pop culture, Denton has also made appearances as a character name. For example, there is a character named Denton Crittenden in Mark Twain's novel "Roughing It," and actor Kyle Chandler played a character named John Denton in the 2014 film "The Spectacular Now."
Overall, Denton is an interesting and distinctive name with a rich history behind it. Its unique origin and relatively low popularity make it an attractive choice for parents looking for a name that is both meaningful and uncommon.
Based on the statistical data provided, we can observe the trends and patterns of the number of babies named Denton born annually in the United States from 1881 to 2023.
The earliest year recorded is 1881 with a total of 7 births. The number of births remained relatively low until the early 1900s, when it started to gradually increase. In 1913, there were 24 births, marking the first time this figure surpassed 20.
The years from 1915 to 1920 saw a significant rise in the number of babies named Denton, with the highest being 42 births in 1920. However, this trend began to decline thereafter, dropping back down to 27 births in 1924.
The period between 1935 and 1949 exhibited a fair amount of fluctuation, ranging from a low of 33 births in 1940 to a high of 56 births in 1950. After this point, the number of babies named Denton started to decline once again.
From 1957 onwards, the annual number of births with the name Denton consistently remained below 50, until a noticeable spike occurred between 1984 and 1989, where figures hovered around or above this mark. The highest point during this time was 68 births in 1989.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the number of babies named Denton fluctuated but generally remained within a range of approximately 40 to 75 births per year. The most recent peak occurred in 2006 with 67 births.
More recently, from 2013 onwards, the annual figure has typically been between 35 and 60 births. The total number of babies named Denton born in the United States from 1881 to 2023 is 5084.