Clayton
Clayton: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkleɪtən/
Meaning and origin of Clayton
Root meaning: “clay”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Middle English Claytone, Cleyton, from Old English clǣġ (“clay”) + Old English tūn (“enclosure, settlement; town”). Analyzable as clay + -ton.
How popular is Clayton?
Since 1880, 610 girls and 139,344 boys in the U.S. have been named Clayton (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2369 in 1926. Its highest rank for boys was #147 in 1988. In 2025 it ranked #300 for boys, with 1,130 babies given the name.
Names similar to Clayton
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Clayton
Sister and brother names that share Clayton's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Clayton FAQ
What does the name Clayton mean?
Clayton traces back to a root meaning "clay". A male given name transferred from the surname. From Middle English Claytone, Cleyton, from Old English clǣġ (“clay”) + Old English tūn (“enclosure, settlement; town”). Analyzable as clay + -ton.
What is the origin of the name Clayton?
Clayton is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Clayton?
Since 1880, 610 girls and 139,344 boys in the U.S. have been named Clayton (0% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2369 in 1926. Its highest rank for boys was #147 in 1988. In 2025 it ranked #300 for boys, with 1,130 babies given the name.
Is Clayton a boy or girl name?
Clayton is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 610 girls and 139,344 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.