Payton Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: PAY-ton //ˈpeɪ.tən//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: warrior's village; English: from the warrior's estate
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Payton has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "pæga," meaning "fighting man," and "tun," which translates to "town" or "settlement." This etymological background suggests a meaning akin to "warrior's town" or "from the warrior's estate." The name evolved through various forms, including the Old English "Pægtun," before being adopted into Middle English as "Payton." It eventually made its way into modern English usage, where it has been used as both a surname and a given name. Historically, the name Payton can be traced back to the medieval period, with its usage documented in England during the 12th century.
The name was often associated with various locations in England, notably in the regions of Devon and Somerset, where place names derived from the Old English roots were common. The surname Payton became more prominent in the 16th and 17th centuries, with notable figures bearing the name appearing in historical records, including landowners and local gentry.
Culturally, the name Payton has been linked to notions of strength and resilience, reflecting its warrior-like connotations. In literature and folklore, names associated with battle or strength often carried a sense of honor and valor, contributing to their endurance through generations.
The name has also seen variations and diminutives, such as "Peyton," which have been used interchangeably in various contexts. Overall, Payton embodies a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in its linguistic origins and the societal values of strength and community.
Famous people named Payton
In this section, you will find notable people named Payton. 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 Payton who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Payton 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.
Payton Manning is a former professional American football quarterback best known for his time with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, and for winning two Super Bowls.
Payton Pritchard is a professional basketball player best known for playing with the Boston Celtics and for his collegiate career at the University of Oregon.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Payton, 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 Payton. 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 Payton was first seen in the United States in 1966.
Payton has ranked as high as #195 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Ohio, Illinois, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Payton has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Payton 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 Payton was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Payton (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 | 57 | |
| CA | 49 | |
| PA | 41 | |
| NY | 40 | |
| OH | 39 | |
| FL | 34 | |
| IL | 34 | |
| IN | 31 | |
| NC | 26 | |
| AZ | 23 | |
| GA | 22 | |
| MO | 21 | |
| KY | 20 | |
| SC | 19 | |
| TN | 19 |
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 Payton.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 820 |
| 2023 | 991 |
| 2022 | 1,097 |
| 2021 | 1,168 |
| 2020 | 1,331 |
| 2019 | 1,422 |
| 2018 | 1,428 |
| 2017 | 1,650 |
| 2016 | 1,801 |
| 2015 | 2,117 |
| 2014 | 2,414 |
| 2013 | 2,619 |
| 2012 | 2,946 |
| 2011 | 3,151 |
| 2010 | 3,589 |
| 2009 | 3,646 |
| 2008 | 3,612 |
| 2007 | 2,284 |
| 2006 | 2,158 |
| 2005 | 2,184 |
| 2004 | 2,077 |
| 2003 | 1,619 |
| 2002 | 1,758 |
| 2001 | 1,983 |
| 2000 | 2,058 |
| 1999 | 1,394 |
| 1998 | 1,368 |
| 1997 | 1,336 |
| 1996 | 1,018 |
| 1995 | 638 |
| 1994 | 568 |
| 1993 | 522 |
| 1992 | 307 |
| 1991 | 45 |
| 1990 | 23 |
| 1989 | 18 |
| 1988 | 22 |
| 1987 | 22 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1981 | 8 |
| 1980 | 8 |
| 1979 | 6 |
| 1978 | 9 |
| 1977 | 9 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1967 | 14 |
| 1966 | 18 |