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Name Lineage

    The first name Clayton

    A boy’s name from English meaning “clay”, “enclosure”, “settlement”.

    Pronounced /ˈkleɪtən/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    English origin

    Clayton means “clay”, “enclosure”, “settlement” in English.

    From Middle English Claytone, Cleyton, from Old English clǣġ (“clay”) + Old English tūn (“enclosure, settlement; town”). Analyzable as clay + -ton.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 50 boys were named Clayton, making it the 702nd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2019, with 111 births (#388).

    0100200 1996200020052010201520202025
    2,346
    babies named Clayton, 1996–2025
    #702
    rank in 2025
    2019
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Clayton with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Clayton at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 1,130 boys born in the United States were named Clayton, the 300th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2000, when 2,564 were.

    01,5003,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    139,954
    babies named Clayton since 1880
    #300
    rank in 2025
    2000
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Nicknames for Clayton

    Famous people named Clayton

    29 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Clayton Anderson
      American astronaut and engineer, born 1959
    • Clayton Kershaw
      American professional baseball player (born 1988)
    • Clayton Moore
      American actor (1914–1999)
    • Clayton Keller
      American ice hockey player, born 1998
    • Clayton Murphy
      American middle-distance runner, born 1995
    • Clayton Donaldson
      Association football player, born 1984
    • Clayton Zane
      Australian soccer player, born 1977
    • Clayton Christensen
      American economist (1952-2020)
    • Clayton Rohner
      American actor, born 1957
    • Clayton Snyder
      American actor, born 1987
    • Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
      American Baptist pastor and politician (1908–1972)
    • Clayton Keith Yeutter
      American politician (1930–2017)

    More English boys’ names

    All 216 names of English origin

    Questions

    What does the name Clayton mean?
    Clayton means “clay”, “enclosure”, “settlement” in English.
    What is the origin of the name Clayton?
    From Middle English Claytone, Cleyton, from Old English clǣġ (“clay”) + Old English tūn (“enclosure, settlement; town”). Analyzable as clay + -ton.
    How popular is the name Clayton?
    In 2025, 50 boys born in England and Wales were named Clayton, ranking 702nd. Its peak was 2019, with 111 births.
    What are nicknames for Clayton?
    Common nicknames for Clayton include Clay.
    Is Clayton a boy's or a girl's name?
    Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 139,954 US babies named Clayton since 1880 were boys.
    When was Clayton most popular?
    2000 in the United States, when 2,564 babies were named Clayton, its highest rank at 151st.
    How do you pronounce Clayton?
    Clayton is /ˈkleɪtən/, 2 syllables.
    Is Clayton also a surname?
    Yes. Clayton is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.