Payson

Pronunciation: [ p-AYZ-uhn ]

Boy Name #2,637 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

A peaceful surname name with Yankee heritage

American English

Modern Strong Classic Bold

Meaning & Origin

"son of Paye/Pace (son of Peace)"

Origin: Old English/Latin

Language: English

"son of the peacemaker"

Origin: English

Language: English

The Story of Payson

Payson is an English surname used as a given name, derived from an old English personal name Paye (itself a diminutive of Latin Pax, meaning peace) plus the suffix -son (son of). The surname Payson was common in colonial New England — most notably Edward Payson (1783-1827), a celebrated Congregationalist minister in Portland, Maine. As a first name, it fits comfortably within the modern American tradition of surname-style given names for boys.

Payson began appearing as a given name in the United States in the late 1990s and grew steadily in the 2010s alongside other -son suffix names like Mason, Grayson, and Dawson. It fits the surname-name trend that has dominated American baby naming for two decades.

Payson, Utah is a notable city of that name, and the name has long heritage in New England through the Congregationalist minister Edward Payson, widely known in the 19th century. As a given name, it projects the solid, grounded quality of New England heritage combined with modern American confidence.

Fun Facts

Edward Payson (1783-1827) was a famous Congregationalist minister whose collected sermons were bestsellers in the early 1800s
Payson, Utah was named after a local early settler and is the site of several major outdoor events

Payson in Other Languages

French Payson

Spanish Payson

Portuguese Payson

Famous People Named Payson

Edward Payson

Religious

1783

American Congregationalist minister and author known as the Seraphic Payson, whose sermons were widely published

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,637
Total SSA Count: 50
Cultural Origins: American English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Pay Paz

Pairs Well With

Payson James Payson Thomas Payson Lee Payson Cole Payson Reed Payson Grant

Sibling Names

Mason Grayson Hadley Peyton Kinsley Dawson

Also a Girl Name

Payson is also used as a girl name, ranked #3931.

View Payson as a girl name →

Similar Names

James Jesse Nathan Grant Jackson Judson Major Madison

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Payson

What does the name Payson mean?

"son of Paye/Pace (son of Peace)" (from Old English/Latin). "son of the peacemaker" (from English). Payson is an English surname used as a given name, derived from an old English personal name Paye (itself a diminutive of Latin Pax, meaning peace) plus the suffix -son (son of). The surname Payson was common in colonial New England — most notably Edward Payson (1783-1827), a celebrated Congregationalist minister in Portland, Maine. As a first name, it fits comfortably within the modern American tradition of surname-style given names for boys.

What is the origin of the name Payson?

Payson has Old English/Latin, English, and American origins. In Old English/Latin, it means "son of Paye/Pace (son of Peace)". In English, it means "son of the peacemaker".

Is Payson a boy or girl name?

Payson is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2637. As a girl name, it is ranked #3931. Payson is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Payson?

Payson is pronounced p-AYZ-uhn.

How popular is the name Payson?

Payson is currently ranked #2637 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Payson?

Common nicknames for Payson include Pay and Paz.

What are good middle names for Payson?

Popular middle name pairings include Payson James, Payson Thomas, Payson Lee, Payson Cole, Payson Reed, and Payson Grant.

What are good sibling names for Payson?

Names that pair well with Payson as siblings include Mason, Grayson, Hadley, Peyton, Kinsley, and Dawson.

How many syllables does Payson have?

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

Is Payson a common or rare name?

Payson is an uncommon name, ranked #2637 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Payson

Payson is a boy name with American and English origins . The name means "son of Paye/Pace (son of Peace)" in Old English/Latin .

Is Payson a boy or girl name? Payson is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,637 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #3,931. Payson is more commonly used as a boy name.

Payson is currently ranked #2,637 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Payson has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-AYZ-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Payson include Pay and Paz. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.