Dayton

Pronunciation: [ d-AYT-uhn ]

Boy Name #1,190 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Bright and bold, from the city that gave us flight

English American

Modern Strong Bold

Meaning & Origin

"bright settlement, day town"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"from Dayton"

Origin: English

Language: English

The Story of Dayton

Dayton is a place name and surname that transferred to use as a given name. It derives from Old English 'dæg' (day) + 'tun' (settlement, enclosure), meaning 'day's settlement' or 'bright settlement.' Dayton, Ohio — the city — was named after General Jonathan Dayton, a signer of the US Constitution. The name now functions as a locational given name in the tradition of Brooklyn, Austin, and Camden.

Dayton entered the US given name charts for boys in the early 2000s and has grown steadily as parents embraced place-name surnames as first names. It appeals particularly to families with Midwestern connections and to those who like the -ton ending (popular in names like Clayton, Payton, and Colton).

Dayton, Ohio holds a significant place in American history as the birthplace of the Wright Brothers, making it the spiritual home of aviation. The 1995 Dayton Accords, which ended the Bosnian War, were negotiated at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, giving the name an additional layer of international significance.

Fun Facts

Dayton, Ohio is the birthplace of both the Wright Brothers and the pop-top aluminum can
General Jonathan Dayton, at 26, was the youngest signer of the US Constitution in 1787
The Dayton Accords of 1995 ended the Bosnian War and remain one of the most significant peace agreements of the late 20th century

Dayton in Other Languages

French Daytonn

English Dayton

Spanish Dayten

Famous People Named Dayton

Mark Dayton

Politician

1947

American politician who served as Governor of Minnesota from 2011 to 2019

Jonathan Dayton

Politician

1760

American Founding Father and the youngest signer of the US Constitution; Dayton, Ohio was named after him

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,190
Total SSA Count: 173
Cultural Origins: English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Day

Pairs Well With

Dayton James Dayton Lee Dayton Cole Dayton Reid Dayton Alexander Dayton Blake

Sibling Names

Payton Clayton Hudson Colton Layton Brynn

Also a Girl Name

Dayton is also used as a girl name, ranked #11119.

View Dayton as a girl name →

Similar Names

Clayton Clifton Layton Payton Peyton Lawton Leighton Creighton

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dayton

What does the name Dayton mean?

"bright settlement, day town" (from Old English). "from Dayton" (from English). Dayton is a place name and surname that transferred to use as a given name. It derives from Old English 'dæg' (day) + 'tun' (settlement, enclosure), meaning 'day's settlement' or 'bright settlement.' Dayton, Ohio — the city — was named after General Jonathan Dayton, a signer of the US Constitution. The name now functions as a locational given name in the tradition of Brooklyn, Austin, and Camden.

What is the origin of the name Dayton?

Dayton has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "bright settlement, day town". In English, it means "from Dayton".

Is Dayton a boy or girl name?

Dayton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1190. As a girl name, it is ranked #11119. Dayton is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Dayton?

Dayton is pronounced d-AYT-uhn.

How popular is the name Dayton?

Dayton is currently ranked #1190 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Dayton?

Common nicknames for Dayton include Day.

What are good middle names for Dayton?

Popular middle name pairings include Dayton James, Dayton Lee, Dayton Cole, Dayton Reid, Dayton Alexander, and Dayton Blake.

What are good sibling names for Dayton?

Names that pair well with Dayton as siblings include Payton, Clayton, Hudson, Colton, Layton, and Brynn.

How many syllables does Dayton have?

Dayton has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Dayton a common or rare name?

Dayton is an uncommon name, ranked #1190 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Dayton

Dayton is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "bright settlement, day town" in Old English .

Is Dayton a boy or girl name? Dayton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,190 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #11,119. Dayton is more commonly used as a boy name.

Dayton is currently ranked #1,190 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Dayton has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AYT-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Dayton include Day. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.