Clayton
/ˈkleɪ.tən/
Clayton derives from an English surname that originated from various place names across England.
All trace to Old English elements meaning “clay settlement” - combining clǣg (clay) with tūn (town, settlement). Dozens of villages and hamlets called Clayton exist across the English Midlands and North.
The name has been in consistent use in the United States since the 19th century. It peaked at No. 147 in 1988, placing it solidly in the upper-middle range during a period when many traditional English surnames were popular as given names.
What the name Clayton means
After its late-1980s peak, Clayton experienced a slow but steady decline. By 2015, it had fallen to No. 248 with 1,479 births. The drop continued through the late 2010s before stabilizing around the 280-320 range.
In 2024, Clayton ranked No. 317 with 1,081 births, showing modest fluctuation rather than dramatic movement in recent years. The name has remained between No. 254 and No. 317 for the past decade.
The name carries associations with the American West and South, where Clayton was commonly used as both a given name and a place name. Clayton, Missouri and Clayton, New Mexico are among numerous US towns bearing the name.
Notable bearers include Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and 3-time Cy Young Award winner, who has kept the name visible in sports culture during the 2010s and 2020s.
Clayton’s straightforward, unpretentious quality gives it staying power. It avoids the trendiness of newer surname names while maintaining a familiar, approachable feel that has kept it in continuous use for well over a century.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Clayton
Clayton - similar names
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