Back to Baby Names

Layton

Pronunciation: [ l-AYT-uhn ]

Boy Name #693 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

An Old English farm name with sleek modern style

English American
Modern Strong Classic Traditional

Meaning & Origin

"herb farm, meadow settlement"
Origin: Old English
Language: English

The Story of Layton

Layton is an English place-derived name from Old English 'leac-tun,' meaning a settlement or farm where leeks or herbs were grown. It appears as a place name in several English villages (Leighton Buzzard, for example) and was adopted as a surname before transitioning to first name use. As a first name, Layton is part of the contemporary trend toward -ton ending names like Peyton, Clayton, and Weston.

Layton has risen alongside similar names like Peyton, Clayton, and Braxton. Its clean sound and familiar -ton ending make it accessible to American parents seeking a name that feels established without being common.

Layton is primarily an American first name, though Leighton (the traditional spelling) has British roots. Professor Layton, the beloved Nintendo puzzle game character, has given the name a gentle intellectual association in gaming culture.

Fun Facts

  • Professor Layton is the protagonist of a popular Nintendo puzzle game series with over 60 titles sold worldwide
  • Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire, England, shares this etymological root
  • Layton is a city in Utah known for its family-friendly communities and military history

Layton in Other Languages

French Layton
German Layton
Spanish Layton

Famous People Named Layton

J

Jack Layton

Politician

1950

Canadian NDP leader who led the party to its best-ever election result in 2011; beloved for his optimistic final letter ...

Canadian NDP leader who led the party to its best-ever election result in 2011; beloved for his optimistic final letter to Canadians

P

Professor Layton Fictional

Other

Fictional British archaeologist and puzzle enthusiast, protagonist of the Nintendo DS puzzle game series Professor Layto...

Fictional British archaeologist and puzzle enthusiast, protagonist of the Nintendo DS puzzle game series Professor Layton

Quick Facts

Gender
Boy
Syllables
2
Popularity Rank
#693
Total SSA Count
389
Cultural Origins
English American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Alternative Spellings

Nicknames

Lay Layie Laytie Layty

Pairs Well With

Layton James Layton Cole Layton Reid Layton Blake Layton Hayes Layton Allen Layton Grant

Sibling Names

Also a Girl Name

Layton is also used as a girl name, ranked #2058.

View Layton as a girl name →

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Layton and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Layton sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more boy names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Layton

What does the name Layton mean?
"herb farm, meadow settlement" (from Old English). Layton is an English place-derived name from Old English 'leac-tun,' meaning a settlement or farm where leeks or herbs were grown. It appears as a place name in several English villages (Leighton Buzzard, for example) and was adopted as a surname before transitioning to first name use. As a first name, Layton is part of the contemporary trend toward -ton ending names like Peyton, Clayton, and Weston.
What is the origin of the name Layton?
Layton has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "herb farm, meadow settlement".
Is Layton a boy or girl name?
Layton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #693. As a girl name, it is ranked #2058. Layton is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Layton?
Layton is pronounced l-AYT-uhn.
How popular is the name Layton?
Layton is currently ranked #693 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Layton?
Common nicknames for Layton include Lay, Layie, Laytie, and Layty.
What are good middle names for Layton?
Popular middle name pairings include Layton James, Layton Cole, Layton Reid, Layton Blake, Layton Hayes, Layton Allen, and Layton Grant.
What are good sibling names for Layton?
Names that pair well with Layton as siblings include Peyton, Clayton, Sutton, Harlow, Weston, Brynn, and Brixton.
How many syllables does Layton have?
Layton has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Layton a common or rare name?
Layton is moderately common, ranked #693 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Layton

Layton is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "herb farm, meadow settlement" in Old English .

Is Layton a boy or girl name? Layton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #693 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,058. Layton is more commonly used as a boy name.

Layton is currently ranked #693 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

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

Common nicknames for Layton include Lay, Layie, Laytie, and Layty. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Layton include Layth . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

Explore Name Lists