"Pacca's town"
Peyton
Pronunciation: [ p-AYT-uhn ]
A sporty surname name with wide American appeal
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with NFL quarterback Peyton Manning — a male association some parents of girls consider
The Story of Peyton
Peyton is an Old English surname derived from 'Pacca's tun' — the estate or enclosure of a person named Pacca. It entered use as an American given name in the late 20th century as part of the surname-as-first-name trend. It became particularly popular for girls after surging for boys in the late 1990s, driven by the fame of NFL star Peyton Manning.
Peyton hit peak popularity for girls in the 2000s-2010s, partly driven by NFL quarterback Peyton Manning's fame and the character Peyton Sawyer on One Tree Hill. It caught on as a sporty, gender-neutral option before tapering slightly in the 2020s.
This is primarily an American name with no deep historical roots elsewhere, representing the 21st-century trend of gender-neutral surname-style names for girls. Peyton Sawyer from One Tree Hill gave the name a beloved fictional association for a generation of TV viewers.
Fun Facts
- Peyton Manning is a two-time Super Bowl champion and five-time NFL MVP
- Peyton ranks higher in current usage for girls than boys despite the famous male quarterback
- The name first entered the US Top 1000 for girls in 1992
Peyton in Other Languages
Famous People Named Peyton
Peyton List
Actor
2004
American actress known for Cobra Kai and Disney Channel's Bunk'd
Peyton Manning
Athlete
1976
Two-time Super Bowl champion NFL quarterback and five-time NFL MVP
Peyton Sawyer Fictional
Other
Fictional protagonist of TV series One Tree Hill, beloved by a generation of viewers
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #168
- Total SSA Count
- 1,812
- Cultural Origins
- American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Peyton is also used as a boy name, ranked #659.
View Peyton as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Peyton
What does the name Peyton mean?
What is the origin of the name Peyton?
Is Peyton a boy or girl name?
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About the Name Peyton
Peyton is a girl name with American origins . The name means "Pacca's town" in Old English .
Is Peyton a boy or girl name? Peyton is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #168 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #659. Peyton is more commonly used as a girl name.
Peyton is currently ranked #168 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Peyton has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-AYT-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Peyton include Pey. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.