Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Clayton
BoyOld English, English· “clay settlement”
- Meaning
- clay settlement
- Origin
- Old English, English
- Pronunciation
- KLAY-tun
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #300
- US babies 2025
- 1,130
- Best rank
- #147 (1988)
- Peak year
- 2000
Meaning and origin of Clayton
Clayton is an Old English and English name that means “clay settlement”.
Clayton is an English surname taken from several place names built on the Old English clæg, meaning "clay," and tun, meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." It originally described people who came from a village on clay soil, and it has been used as a first name in the United States since the nineteenth century. The name has a sturdy, grounded feel with a hint of the American West, and it sits comfortably beside other surname-style names like Dalton and Grayson. Clay is the obvious nickname and works well on its own. Clayton reads as friendly and down to earth.
Popularity over time
Clayton has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #147 in 1988, and the most babies received it in 2000, when 2,564 were named Clayton. In 2025, 1,130 babies were named Clayton, and it ranked #300 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #153 in 1920, #241 in 1950, #194 in 1980, #151 in 2000, #251 in 2010, and #300 in 2025. Of the 139,344 US boys named Clayton since records began, 16% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 18,672 babies. Since 2010, 20,821 more have been named Clayton.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Javier, Dawson, Jakob, Cade, and Trey.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Clayton ranked highest in West Virginia, Idaho, and Mississippi.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | #102 | 19 |
| Idaho | #119 | 21 |
| Mississippi | #154 | 21 |
| Maine | #158 | 8 |
| Alaska | #170 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Clayton is usually pronounced KLAY-tun, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with C and ends in “-on”.
Middle names for Clayton
A few middle names that flow with Clayton: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Clayton
Similar names
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Lists that include Clayton
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Clayton mean?
Clayton is an Old English and English name that means “clay settlement”.
What is the origin of the name Clayton?
Clayton has Old English and English roots. Clayton is an English surname taken from several place names built on the Old English clæg, meaning "clay," and tun, meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." It originally described people who came from a village on clay soil, and it has been used as a first name in the United States since the nineteenth century.
Is Clayton a popular name?
Yes. Clayton ranked #300 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Clayton a boy or girl name?
Clayton is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Clayton?
Clayton is usually pronounced KLAY-tun. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings