Payton

Payton is a unisex given name of English origin, derived from a surname that itself comes from a place name. The surname is believed to trace back to an Old English phrase meaning "Pœga's town," reflecting the settlement of someone named Pœga. An alternative interpretation suggests the name means "fighting man's estate," though the precise etymology remains uncertain.

The name is a variant of Peyton, which rose from obscurity to widespread popularity in the late 20th century. As a first name, Peyton was rare before 1990 for either gender, but its usage surged in the early 1990s, notably after the 1992 film The Hand That Rocks the Cradle featured a female character named Peyton (despite the character being a villain). This spurred the name as a choice for girls. Before that, the surname had historical significance through figures such as Peyton Randolph (1721–1775), the first president of the Continental Congress, and younger generations associate the name with American football quarterback Peyton Manning (1976–​).

Popularity and Gender Usage

In the United States, Payton is well-established for both sexes. In 2007, it ranked 278th among boys and 152nd among girls. The variant spelling Peyton was even more popular than Payton, ranking 125th for boys and 121st for girls that same year. Outside the U.S., such as in British Columbia, Canada, Payton was the 85th most popular name for girls born in 2006. The trend reflects a wider phenomenon of formerly masculine surnames being adopted as unisex given names.

Notable Bearers

Notable individuals named Payton include Payton Banks (born 1981), an American professional wrestler; Payton Chadwick (born 1995), an American heptathlete and hurdler; Payton Eeles (born 1999), an American baseball player; and Payton Haas (born 1979), an athlete. The name appears across entertainment, sports, and other fields.

• Meaning "Pœga's town" or "fighting man's estate"
• Origin English surname from place name
• Type Unisex given name
• Usage regions Primarily English-speaking countries (U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia)