Payton

Pronunciation: [ p-AYT-uhn ]

Girl Name #381 Most Popular Steady 2 Syllables

A sporty gender-neutral name with all-American energy

English American

Modern Sporty Strong Bold

Meaning & Origin

"Paega's town, farmstead settlement"

Origin: Old English

Language: English

Things to Know About This Name

Spelling variant of Peyton causes confusion — parents often misspell whichever they chose

The Story of Payton

Payton is an English locational surname meaning Paega's tun (farmstead or estate of a man named Paega), from Old English. Like many English surnames, it became a popular given name in the late 20th century. The Peyton spelling predominated historically, but Payton has emerged as the more common feminine variant in the US, reflecting the broader trend of surname names for girls.

Payton and Peyton became popular for girls in the 1990s-2000s. The Peyton spelling surged around NFL quarterback Peyton Manning's fame, and is used for both boys and girls. Payton is now the more common feminine spelling. The character Peyton Sawyer on One Tree Hill (2003-2009) strongly drove feminine popularity for the name.

In the US, Payton/Peyton is firmly associated with both the NFL legacy (Peyton Manning, Walter Payton) and pop culture (One Tree Hill's Peyton Sawyer). The name represents the Millennial-era trend of gender-neutral surname names becoming fashionable for both boys and girls.

Fun Facts

Payton/Peyton entered the US top 100 for girls in 2006
Peyton Manning is widely regarded as one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time
The character Peyton Sawyer on One Tree Hill (2003-2009) popularized the name for an entire generation of girls

Payton in Other Languages

French Payton

Spanish Payton

Japanese Peiton

Famous People Named Payton

Peyton Manning

Athlete

1976

Two-time Super Bowl champion NFL quarterback, widely considered one of the greatest to ever play the position

Walter Payton

Athlete

1954

Legendary NFL running back for the Chicago Bears, nicknamed Sweetness, considered one of the greatest players in league ...

Legendary NFL running back for the Chicago Bears, nicknamed Sweetness, considered one of the greatest players in league history

Peyton Sawyer Fictional

Other

Passionate music lover and aspiring producer in the teen drama One Tree Hill (2003-2009), played by Hilarie Burton

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #381
Total SSA Count: 820
Cultural Origins: English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Pay Payt

Pairs Well With

Payton Grace Payton Ann Payton Marie Payton Rose Payton Leigh Payton Nicole Payton Elizabeth

Sibling Names

Taylor Jordan Riley Bailey Blake Morgan Avery

Also a Boy Name

Payton is also used as a boy name, ranked #1515.

View Payton as a boy name →

Similar Names

Clayton Clifton Dayton Layton Payton Peyton Leighton Waylon

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Payton

What does the name Payton mean?

"Paega's town, farmstead settlement" (from Old English). Payton is an English locational surname meaning Paega's tun (farmstead or estate of a man named Paega), from Old English. Like many English surnames, it became a popular given name in the late 20th century. The Peyton spelling predominated historically, but Payton has emerged as the more common feminine variant in the US, reflecting the broader trend of surname names for girls.

What is the origin of the name Payton?

Payton has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "Paega's town, farmstead settlement".

Is Payton a boy or girl name?

Payton is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #381. As a boy name, it is ranked #1515. Payton is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Payton?

Payton is pronounced p-AYT-uhn.

How popular is the name Payton?

Payton is currently ranked #381 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Payton?

Common nicknames for Payton include Pay and Payt.

What are good middle names for Payton?

Popular middle name pairings include Payton Grace, Payton Ann, Payton Marie, Payton Rose, Payton Leigh, Payton Nicole, and Payton Elizabeth.

What are good sibling names for Payton?

Names that pair well with Payton as siblings include Taylor, Jordan, Riley, Bailey, Blake, Morgan, and Avery.

How many syllables does Payton have?

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

Is Payton a common or rare name?

Payton is a popular name, ranked #381 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Payton

Payton is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "Paega's town, farmstead settlement" in Old English .

Is Payton a boy or girl name? Payton is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #381 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #1,515. Payton is more commonly used as a girl name.

Payton is currently ranked #381 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

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

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