Payton is an unisex given name of American origin, derived from the Irish surname Ó Pádraigín, which means "descendant of Patrick." The name Payton gained popularity in the United States during the 20th century and has since become a popular choice for both boys and girls. It peaked in popularity among girls in the late 1980s and early 1990s, reaching its highest rank of number 176 in 1992. For boys, Payton reached its peak popularity more recently, ranking at number 346 in 2005. The name is often associated with sports figures such as NFL player Payton Manning and NBA player Metta World Peace, who was originally named Ronald Artest but later changed his first name to Payton.
Statistics on the given name Payton reveal a fascinating trend over time in the United States.
In the late sixties and early seventies, the name was rarely used, with fewer than 10 births recorded annually between 1966 and 1972. However, things began to change significantly starting from 1974 when there were 5 births, marking a subtle rise in popularity.
The true surge in Payton's usage as a baby name came about during the mid-eighties. In 1987 and 1988, there were 22 births each year, indicating that parents were increasingly choosing this name for their children. This trend continued through the early nineties with 45 births in 1991 alone.
The late nineties marked a turning point for Payton's popularity. From 1996 to 2000, there was a notable increase in its usage, with over 2000 births recorded annually. This period of heightened popularity reached its peak in the year 2000 with an impressive total of 2058 births.
The early 2000s saw a steady decline in Payton's prevalence as a baby name, with numbers dropping from around 1750 births per year in 2001 to about 1300 in the years that followed. Despite this decrease, Payton remained relatively popular throughout the decade.
Interestingly, there was another spike in popularity for Payton during the late 2000s and early 2010s when it reached its highest ever recorded numbers: 3611 births in 2008, 3645 in 2009, and 3587 in 2010. However, this trend did not persist into the following years.
Since then, Payton's usage has steadily decreased once again, reaching a total of 990 births in 2023. Although it is no longer as popular as it was during its peak periods, Payton remains a name that continues to be chosen by parents for their children even today.
In conclusion, the statistics on Payton's popularity over time demonstrate how trends in baby names can fluctuate significantly within a few decades. Despite its earlier obscurity and recent decline, Payton has enjoyed notable periods of popularity throughout its history.