Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Payton
GirlOld English, English· “from an English place name”
- Meaning
- from an English place name
- Origin
- Old English, English
- Pronunciation
- PAY-tuhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #440
- US babies 2025
- 701
- Best rank
- #79 (2010)
- Peak year
- 2009
Meaning and origin of Payton
Payton is an Old English and English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
Payton is a variant of Peyton, an English surname taken from a place name usually explained as "Pæga's town", combining an Old English personal name with tun, "settlement". The name moved into first-name use in the United States, where it is shared by boys and girls. The quarterback Peyton Manning helped make the Peyton spelling familiar, while Payton appears more often for girls. The name has a light, friendly two-syllable sound that fits alongside Hayden and Addison. It feels modern and upbeat while still resting on a real English surname, and it is simple to pronounce.
Other spellings with the same sound: Peyton, Paighton.
Popularity over time
Payton first appears in US Social Security records in 1966. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 34 different years, starting in 1992. Its best national rank was #79 in 2010, and the most babies received it in 2009, when 3,646 were named Payton. In 2025, 701 babies were named Payton, and it ranked #440 nationally. That is 67% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #7,920 in 1980, #163 in 2000, #79 in 2010, and #440 in 2025. Of the 60,045 US girls named Payton since records began, 39% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 23,144 babies. Since 2010, 29,259 more have been named Payton.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Mya, Valeria, Rylee, Lilly, and Jordyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Payton ranked highest in South Dakota, New Hampshire, and Delaware.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #131 | 9 |
| New Hampshire | #146 | 9 |
| Delaware | #160 | 6 |
| West Virginia | #175 | 10 |
| Maine | #251 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 80% of US babies named Payton over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Payton is usually pronounced PAY-tuhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with P and ends in “-on”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Peyton and Paighton.
Middle names for Payton
A few middle names that flow with Payton: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Payton
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Lists that include Payton
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Payton mean?
Payton is an Old English and English name that is usually said to mean “from an English place name”.
What is the origin of the name Payton?
Payton has Old English and English roots. Payton is a variant of Peyton, an English surname taken from a place name usually explained as "Pæga's town", combining an Old English personal name with tun, "settlement".
Is Payton a popular name?
Yes. Payton ranked #440 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Payton a boy or girl name?
Payton is mainly a girl's name. About 80% of US babies named Payton over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Payton?
Payton is usually pronounced PAY-tuhn. 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