Paxton Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAK-ston //ˈpækstən//
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: English: from the town of Pæcc's town; Latin: peaceful town
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Paxton has its roots in Old English, deriving from the elements "pæc" meaning "peace" and "tun" meaning "town" or "settlement." This etymology suggests a literal meaning of "peace town" or "town of peace." The name emerged in England during the medieval period, with its earliest forms appearing in various records as a surname before transitioning into use as a given name. The surname Paxton is historically linked to several locations in England, particularly in the counties of Northumberland and Yorkshire, where it was used to denote individuals from these places.
Historically, the name Paxton has been associated with notable figures and events. One significant milestone is the use of the name in the 19th century, particularly in the context of the Paxton family, who were influential in various sectors, including politics and the arts.
The name also gained prominence through the works of authors and poets who utilized it in their writings, contributing to its cultural resonance. Additionally, the name is sometimes linked to the Paxton Boys, a group of frontiersmen in Pennsylvania during the 18th century, who were involved in significant historical events related to colonial expansion and Native American relations.
Culturally, Paxton embodies themes of peace and community, reflecting its etymological roots. The name has been embraced in various literary and artistic contexts, symbolizing harmony and settlement.
Its historical significance and the associations with peace have allowed it to endure through the centuries. While diminutive forms or variations of the name have emerged, such as Pax, the original form of Paxton remains the most recognized and historically rich.
Overall, the name Paxton carries a legacy that intertwines linguistic heritage with historical narratives.
Famous people named Paxton
In this section, you will find notable people named Paxton. 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 Paxton who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Paxton 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.
Paxton Whitehead is an actor best known for The Last Starfighter, The Good Wife, and Frasier.
Fictional characters named Paxton
The following list of fictional characters named Paxton is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Paxton Fettel is a fictional character from the video game series F.E.A.R. He is a genetically enhanced soldier who serves as a primary antagonist, known for his psychic abilities and connection to the game's horror elements.
Paxton is a fictional character from the film The Last House on the Left. He is a key member of a group of criminals who terrorize a family, playing a significant role in the film's conflict.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Paxton, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Paxton. 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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Paxton was first seen in the United States in 1921.
Paxton has ranked as high as #348 nationally, which occurred in 2016, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Ohio, Tennessee, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Paxton has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Paxton 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 Paxton was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Paxton (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 111 | |
| CA | 82 | |
| PA | 57 | |
| OH | 52 | |
| TN | 45 | |
| FL | 41 | |
| GA | 38 | |
| NC | 38 | |
| AL | 35 | |
| IN | 34 | |
| KY | 33 | |
| MI | 33 | |
| NY | 32 | |
| MO | 30 | |
| OR | 29 |
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 Paxton.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,165 |
| 2023 | 1,356 |
| 2022 | 1,349 |
| 2021 | 1,392 |
| 2020 | 1,301 |
| 2019 | 1,450 |
| 2018 | 1,694 |
| 2017 | 1,909 |
| 2016 | 1,993 |
| 2015 | 1,677 |
| 2014 | 1,432 |
| 2013 | 1,356 |
| 2012 | 1,496 |
| 2011 | 1,287 |
| 2010 | 1,110 |
| 2009 | 979 |
| 2008 | 697 |
| 2007 | 456 |
| 2006 | 267 |
| 2005 | 211 |
| 2004 | 197 |
| 2003 | 174 |
| 2002 | 197 |
| 2001 | 162 |
| 2000 | 161 |
| 1999 | 168 |
| 1998 | 156 |
| 1997 | 144 |
| 1996 | 91 |
| 1995 | 97 |
| 1994 | 104 |
| 1993 | 73 |
| 1992 | 66 |
| 1991 | 43 |
| 1990 | 17 |
| 1989 | 37 |
| 1988 | 25 |
| 1987 | 17 |
| 1986 | 24 |
| 1985 | 21 |
| 1984 | 19 |
| 1983 | 18 |
| 1982 | 18 |
| 1981 | 19 |
| 1980 | 21 |
| 1979 | 19 |
| 1978 | 18 |
| 1977 | 24 |
| 1976 | 26 |
| 1975 | 21 |
| 1974 | 35 |
| 1973 | 40 |
| 1972 | 47 |
| 1971 | 54 |
| 1970 | 48 |
| 1969 | 28 |
| 1968 | 10 |
| 1967 | 12 |
| 1966 | 12 |
| 1965 | 7 |
| 1964 | 11 |
| 1963 | 8 |
| 1962 | 11 |
| 1961 | 18 |
| 1960 | 7 |
| 1958 | 10 |
| 1956 | 8 |
| 1955 | 5 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1949 | 6 |
| 1948 | 5 |
| 1947 | 9 |
| 1938 | 5 |
| 1935 | 5 |
| 1931 | 6 |
| 1928 | 5 |
| 1925 | 6 |
| 1924 | 7 |
| 1923 | 8 |
| 1921 | 7 |