"Paega's town, farmstead settlement"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Payton
Pronunciation: [ p-AYT-uhn ]
Does Payton flow with your last name?
A sporty gender-neutral name with all-American energy
English
American
Modern
Sporty
Strong
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Payton
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Payton
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Payton
See all →What the Payton report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Payton the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Payton
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Payton head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Payton actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
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.
Historical Record
Payton first appeared in US Social Security records in 1966.
Over 59,329 babies have been named Payton in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Payton is past its peak , currently ranked #381 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#381
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2010
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Payton
P
Peyton Manning
Athlete
1976
Two-time Super Bowl champion NFL quarterback, widely considered one of the greatest to ever play the position
W
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
P
Peyton Sawyer Fictional
Other
Passionate music lover and aspiring producer in the teen drama One Tree Hill (2003-2009), played by Hilarie Burton
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Journey
Girl
"a day's travel, voyage"
#322
Bonnie
Girl
"beautiful, attractive, pleasant"
#441
Zara
Girl
"princess"
#234
Maia
Girl
"banana plant"
#459
Azalea
Girl
"dry (referring to the plant's preferred soil)"
#359
Compare Payton with:
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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Payton
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Payton fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Payton is also used as a boy name, ranked #1515.
View Payton as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Payton →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Payton with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Payton
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Payton and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Payton sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Journey
Girl
Old French origin
"a day's travel, voyage"
#322 in US
Bonnie
Girl
Scottish English (bonnie) origin
"beautiful, attractive, pleasant"
#441 in US
Zara
Girl
Arabic/Hebrew origin
"princess"
#234 in US
Maia
Girl
Hawaiian origin
"banana plant"
#459 in US
Azalea
Girl
Greek (azaleos) origin
"dry (referring to the plant's preferr..."
#359 in US
Vanessa
Girl
English literary origin
"from 'Van' + 'Essa' (pet form of Esther)"
#335 in US
Harmony
Girl
Greek harmonia origin
"musical concord, agreement"
#264 in US
Lennon
Girl
Irish origin
"lover, sweetheart"
#236 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Payton's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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.
Keep Exploring
Old English Names
Browse all names with this origin
P
Names Starting with P
More girl names like Payton
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis