Klayton

Meaning & origin

Klayton is a modern respelling of the English surname Clayton, which traditionally means 'clay settlement.' It was first recorded in the U.S. in 1958 but remained rare for decades. The name saw a surge beginning in the early 2000s, reaching its peak rank of 1793 in 2018. Since then, it has been falling in popularity, with a trajectory showing declining use since 2018. In 2025, it was given to roughly 1 in every 19,192 newborns. The name has been most common in Kentucky, Washington, and Missouri. Klayton's rise reflects a broader trend of spelling variations with a 'K' replacing 'C,' a pattern seen in names like Kaden and Kaleb. While never reaching the top 1000, Klayton remains a distinctive choice for parents seeking a familiar yet unique sound.

Klayton is a modern respelling of Clayton, an English surname derived from place names meaning 'clay settlement' (from Old English clǣg 'clay' and tūn 'enclosure, settlement'). It emerged as a given name in the mid-20th century, likely influenced by the popularity of Clayton and the trend of substituting 'K' for 'C' for a distinctive spelling. The variant gained modest usage, peaking in the late 2010s.