Dayton Boy

Popularity: #744 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: DAY-ton //ˈdeɪtən//

Origin: English; French

Meaning: English: town by the river; French: from the town of Daiton

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Dayton has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "dæge," meaning "day," and "tun," meaning "town" or "enclosure." This etymological combination suggests a meaning akin to "town of the day" or "day's settlement." The name likely evolved through various forms, with its earliest occurrences in England during the medieval period. It was brought into the English lexicon through the Norman influence following the Conquest of 1066, where similar place names began to appear, reflecting the geographic and social landscapes of the time.

Historically, the name Dayton is associated with several notable locations in England, particularly in the form of place names. One significant milestone is the establishment of Dayton as a surname in the 13th century, which was common practice as surnames began to emerge from geographic locations.

The name also appears in various historical documents and records, indicating its use among the English populace. Although not directly linked to biblical figures or saints, the name's connection to English heritage and its use in historical contexts contributed to its endurance over the centuries.

Culturally, the name Dayton carries connotations of community and belonging, reflective of its meaning related to settlement. This sense of place has resonated through various cultural expressions, including literature and local histories.

The name has also been adopted in various forms across different regions, with diminutive or variant forms emerging in local dialects. Its historical significance, rooted in the landscape of England, has allowed the name to maintain a presence in the English-speaking world, symbolizing a connection to both heritage and locality.

Famous people named Dayton

In this section, you will find notable people named Dayton. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Dayton who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Dayton who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Dayton Duncan is a writer and producer best known for The National Parks: America's Best Idea, The Dust Bowl, and Ken Burns' documentaries.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dayton, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

DylanDeclanDamianDavisDanteDorian

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dayton. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

BraytonClaytonPaytonLaytonKentonMasonJaysonGrayson

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Dayton was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Dayton has ranked as high as #979 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Missouri, Michigan, and Indiana.

In the past 5 years the name Dayton has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Dayton is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Dayton was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Dayton.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 212 195 17
2024 185 175 10
2023 198 183 15
2022 210 198 12
2021 217 198 19
2020 233 218 15
2019 264 238 26
2018 283 264 19
2017 275 264 11
2016 268 246 22
2015 329 312 17
2014 369 352 17
2013 365 338 27
2012 439 423 16
2011 414 394 20
2010 442 428 14
2009 546 519 27
2008 599 568 31
2007 530 515 15
2006 496 469 27
2005 475 456 19
2004 506 483 23
2003 507 486 21
2002 491 463 28
2001 476 452 24
2000 396 371 25
1999 381 356 25
1998 365 353 12
1997 293 279 14
1996 292 278 14
1995 237 224 13
1994 211 195 16
1993 167 156 11
1992 130 121 9
1991 118 113 5
1990 137 137 0
1989 81 81 0
1988 76 76 0
1987 54 54 0
1986 71 71 0
1985 58 58 0
1984 49 49 0
1983 51 51 0
1982 43 43 0
1981 55 55 0
1980 52 52 0
1979 44 44 0
1978 42 42 0
1977 34 34 0
1976 32 32 0
1975 32 32 0
1974 50 50 0
1973 32 32 0
1972 36 36 0
1971 47 47 0
1970 37 37 0
1969 30 30 0
1968 32 32 0
1967 37 37 0
1966 36 36 0
1965 40 40 0
1964 36 36 0
1963 29 29 0
1962 28 28 0
1961 30 30 0
1960 41 41 0
1959 40 40 0
1958 47 47 0
1957 40 40 0
1956 45 45 0
1955 43 43 0
1954 33 33 0
1953 55 55 0
1952 57 57 0
1951 52 52 0
1950 41 41 0
1949 46 46 0
1948 53 53 0
1947 56 56 0
1946 47 47 0
1945 50 50 0
1944 49 49 0
1943 59 59 0
1942 56 56 0
1941 49 49 0
1940 44 44 0
1939 72 72 0
1938 48 48 0
1937 62 62 0
1936 60 60 0
1935 58 58 0
1934 51 51 0
1933 62 62 0
1932 72 72 0
1931 67 67 0
1930 57 57 0
1929 59 59 0
1928 60 60 0
1927 72 72 0
1926 69 69 0
1925 90 90 0
1924 81 81 0
1923 86 86 0
1922 77 77 0
1921 76 76 0
1920 86 86 0
1919 88 88 0
1918 85 85 0
1917 69 69 0
1916 65 65 0
1915 71 71 0
1914 49 49 0
1913 42 42 0
1912 21 21 0
1911 13 13 0
1910 15 15 0
1909 7 7 0
1908 8 8 0
1907 10 10 0
1905 7 7 0
1904 9 9 0
1901 6 6 0
1900 7 7 0
1899 6 6 0
1898 9 9 0
1897 5 5 0
1896 7 7 0
1895 10 10 0
1894 13 13 0
1893 8 8 0
1892 6 6 0
1891 7 7 0
1890 9 9 0
1888 7 7 0
1887 8 8 0
1886 6 6 0
1885 9 9 0
1882 7 7 0
1880 8 8 0

Top States for Dayton (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 11
9%
GA 8
7%
IN 8
7%
PA 8
7%
FL 7
6%
OH 7
6%
OK 7
6%
MI 7
6%
AZ 7
6%
NE 6
5%
WI 6
5%
MO 6
5%
NC 6
5%
CA 5
4%
NY 5
4%
IL 5
4%
VA 5
4%
WA 5
4%