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    The first name Leighton

    A unisex name from English meaning “leek”, “settlement”.

    Pronounced /ˈleɪtən/ 2 syllables Unisex Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    English origin

    Leighton means “leek”, “settlement” in English.

    Various place names in England, Old English leac (“leek”) + tun (“settlement”), also in the sense of a herb garden.

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 72 boys were named Leighton, making it the 539th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2013, with 394 births (#150).

    0200400 1996200020052010201520202025
    5,340
    babies named Leighton, 1996–2025
    #539
    rank in 2025
    2013
    peak year

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

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Leighton at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 892 girls born in the United States were named Leighton, the 342nd most popular girls’ name that year.

    0450900 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    21,823
    babies named Leighton since 1880
    #342
    rank in 2025
    2025
    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

    Other spellings and forms

    Famous people named Leighton

    5 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Leighton Baines
      English association football player (born 1984)
    • Leighton Meester
      American actress and singer, born 1986
    • Leighton Clarkson
      English association football player (born 2001)
    • Leighton Lucas
      British composer (1903-1982)
    • Tony Scott
      British film director and producer (1944–2012)

    More English unisex names

    All 216 names of English origin

    Questions

    What does the name Leighton mean?
    Leighton means “leek”, “settlement” in English.
    What is the origin of the name Leighton?
    Various place names in England, Old English leac (“leek”) + tun (“settlement”), also in the sense of a herb garden.
    How popular is the name Leighton?
    In 2025, 72 boys born in England and Wales were named Leighton, ranking 539th. Its peak was 2013, with 394 births.
    Is Leighton a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 21,823 US babies named Leighton since 1880, 57% were girls and 43% boys.
    When was Leighton most popular?
    2025 in the United States, when 892 babies were named Leighton, its highest rank at 342nd.
    How do you pronounce Leighton?
    Leighton is /ˈleɪtən/, 2 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Leighton?
    Leyton.
    Is Leighton also a surname?
    Yes. Leighton is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.