Declining since 2015, #3,240 for boys today.
Popularity of Payson since 1917
Babies named Payson per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 0 | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 | 10 |
| 1930s | 0 | 7 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 | 5 |
| 1990s | 6 | 124 |
| 2000s | 103 | 401 |
| 2010s | 754 | 613 |
| 2020s | 306 | 273 |
Meaning & origin
Payson is a unisex name that first entered U.S. records in 1917, but remained rare for most of the 20th century. It saw a notable rise in the 2000s and reached its peak rank of 3240 in 2015 (with 1 in 47,447 births). Since then, it has been falling in popularity, mirroring a broader trend away from surname-style names that topped the charts in the 2010s. The name is most commonly found in Arizona, one of the top states for Payson. Its etymology ties it to an Old English place name, giving it a grounded, locative meaning. As a modern unisex choice, Payson fits alongside other surname names like Carson and Hadley, offering a crisp, two-syllable sound that works across genders.
Payson is an English surname derived from a place name. It likely originates from a lost or minor location in England, combining an Old English personal name such as Paega with the suffix -tūn (meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement'). As a given name, it emerged in the United States in the early 20th century, likely as a transfer of the surname, and saw a spike in popularity in the 2000s and 2010s, particularly among girls.
Where Payson is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Pay, Pace
Sibling names for Payson
Names that share Payson's style, for a brother or sister.
