Declining since 2009, #440 for girls today.
Popularity of Payton since 1880
Babies named Payton per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 11 |
| 1890s | 0 | 10 |
| 1900s | 0 | 5 |
| 1910s | 0 | 118 |
| 1920s | 0 | 171 |
| 1930s | 0 | 131 |
| 1940s | 0 | 148 |
| 1950s | 0 | 122 |
| 1960s | 32 | 153 |
| 1970s | 45 | 201 |
| 1980s | 110 | 574 |
| 1990s | 7,219 | 4,800 |
| 2000s | 23,380 | 12,996 |
| 2010s | 23,144 | 4,479 |
| 2020s | 6,115 | 820 |
Meaning & origin
Payton entered the U.S. naming charts in 1966 and experienced a steady rise in popularity, reaching its peak rank in 2010. Since then, it has been gradually falling in usage, consistent with a broader trend away from heavily phonetic surname-names for girls. As of 2025, it ranks 440th, with about 1 in 2,293 newborns receiving the name. Its greatest popularity has been in states like South Dakota, Delaware, and New Hampshire, which often show preference for names with a modern, surname-style appeal. While Payton is used for both boys and girls, its recent trajectory has been driven primarily by female bearers, mirroring the path of similar names like Peyton.
Payton is a transferred use of an English surname that originated as a place name. It is thought to derive from Old English personal name Pœga combined with tūn, meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement'. The surname was established in England since medieval times, and its use as a given name, particularly for girls, rose sharply in the United States from the 1990s onward, influenced by phonetic similarity to names like Peyton.
Where Payton is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Pay, Payt, P
Sibling names for Payton
Names that share Payton's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mackenzie, Avery, Riley, Harper, Quinn, Ashtyn, Jaycee, Jazlynn, Kamryn, Madisyn, Azlynn, Breelyn, Brookelynn, Brooklynne, Cambrie, Dezarae, Emileigh, Gracyn, Haileigh, Kaydee, Kaytlynn, Kelci, Kelcie, Kennadi, Kennady, Khloee, Kylynn, Mckinlee, Alexxis, Amberleigh, Analyse, Ashlen, Brittyn, Cydnee, Devanie, Devany, Jadeyn, Jaleigh, Jayline, Josslynn, Kaithlyn, Kennadie, Kensie, Kileigh, Kollins, Kyndel, Madisynn, Makenzee, Makinzie, Mekenzie, Morgann, Raeghan, Skylyn, Taylah, Briany, Bristal, Deztiny, Havannah, Jaeleen, Jerney, Kassady, Khiley, Kindell, Lexey, Lexii, Mckenize, Mikaylee, Quinci, Rhegan, Ryenn, Taeler, Devyne, Brycelyn, Caylea, Delayni, Devynne, Henessy, Jailynne, Jazzalyn, Jillyan, Kacelynn, Kamaryn, Kelty, Khamryn, Kiylee, Lyndzie, Madicyn, Makiyla, Mckensi, Micaila, Sarinity, Shaely, Taydem
Brothers: Carson, Brayden, Logan, Carter, Jackson, Jacoby, Jaylin, Kameron, Kody, Quinton, Tristen, Bradon, Bradyn, Dyllan, Jadin, Kamrin, Kanyon, Kase, Korbyn, Tristyn, Alexiz, Braelon, Destyn, Kodey, Trustin, Trystin, Bryndon, Cashtyn, Jadriel, Jaimeson, Jorey, Mckade, Taison, Bensyn, Tyton, Barkon, Braidan, Brandol, Brolin, Carsin, Khaidyn, Kobyn, Mckale, Shaydon, Skylier, Sneijder, Traeton, Trayden
Names like Payton
Names whose popularity has moved with Payton's over the last 50 years.
