Leighton

Pronunciation: [ l-AYT-uhn ]

Boy Name #1,040 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

An English place name with polished, modern appeal

English American

Modern Elegant Sophisticated Gentle

Meaning & Origin

"herb garden settlement"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

"leek farm village"

Origin: Anglo-Saxon

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Most strongly associated as a girl's name through actress Leighton Meester — some parents may see it as too unisex

The Story of Leighton

Leighton is an Old English place name from leac-tun, meaning a settlement or enclosure where leeks or herbs were grown. It refers to a kitchen garden village — a common type of English settlement name. Leighton appears in several English counties, most notably Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire. Like many English place-surname-names, it migrated from geography to surname to given name.

Leighton gained traction as a given name in the early 2000s, used for both boys and girls. Actress Leighton Meester, known for Gossip Girl (2007-2012), significantly boosted the name for girls. Parents seeking a sophisticated alternative to Layton or Peyton have kept it in circulation for boys.

The name sits in the English tradition of place names becoming surnames and eventually first names — a pattern that produces names like Ashton, Clifton, and Weston.

Fun Facts

Leighton Buzzard in England gets its unusual name from the Buzzard family who held church rights in medieval times
The painter Frederic Leighton was the first British artist given a peerage — Baron Leighton

Leighton in Other Languages

Welsh Leighton

French Leighton

German Leighton

Spanish Leighton

Famous People Named Leighton

Leighton Meester

Actor

1986

American actress and singer known for playing Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl

Frederic Leighton

Artist

1830

British Victorian painter and sculptor, first English artist to be given a peerage (Baron Leighton)

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,040
Total SSA Count: 213
Cultural Origins: English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Leigh Lay

Pairs Well With

Leighton James Leighton Michael Leighton Cole Leighton Scott Leighton Thomas Leighton Reid Leighton Alexander

Sibling Names

Emerson Peyton Hadley Quinn Paige Logan Rowan Delaney

Also a Girl Name

Leighton is also used as a girl name, ranked #395.

View Leighton as a girl name →

Similar Names

Clayton Clifton Baxter Dayton Layton Payton Peyton Lawton

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Leighton

What does the name Leighton mean?

"herb garden settlement" (from Old English). "leek farm village" (from Anglo-Saxon). Leighton is an Old English place name from leac-tun, meaning a settlement or enclosure where leeks or herbs were grown. It refers to a kitchen garden village — a common type of English settlement name. Leighton appears in several English counties, most notably Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire. Like many English place-surname-names, it migrated from geography to surname to given name.

What is the origin of the name Leighton?

Leighton has Old English, Anglo-Saxon, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "herb garden settlement". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "leek farm village".

Is Leighton a boy or girl name?

Leighton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1040. As a girl name, it is ranked #395. Leighton is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Leighton?

Leighton is pronounced l-AYT-uhn.

How popular is the name Leighton?

Leighton is currently ranked #1040 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Leighton?

Common nicknames for Leighton include Leigh and Lay.

What are good middle names for Leighton?

Popular middle name pairings include Leighton James, Leighton Michael, Leighton Cole, Leighton Scott, Leighton Thomas, Leighton Reid, and Leighton Alexander.

What are good sibling names for Leighton?

Names that pair well with Leighton as siblings include Emerson, Peyton, Hadley, Quinn, Paige, Logan, Rowan, and Delaney.

How many syllables does Leighton have?

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

Is Leighton a common or rare name?

Leighton is an uncommon name, ranked #1040 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Leighton

Leighton is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "herb garden settlement" in Old English .

Is Leighton a boy or girl name? Leighton is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,040 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #395. Leighton is more commonly used as a girl name.

Leighton is currently ranked #1,040 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

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

Common nicknames for Leighton include Leigh and Lay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.