Clayton Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Clayton Name Meaning

Fact: Clayton Anderson, an astronaut from Nebraska, was the first person from his state to travel to space with NASA​

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A Deep Dive

Clayton Overview

Meaning

Clay settlement

Gender

Boy

Origin

Old English

Etymology

Derived from the Old English words “clay” and “tun,” meaning “settlement near clay.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈkleɪtən/

Popularity

Clayton is favored in the USA, Australia, and Canada. In 2023, Clayton ranked #276 for boys in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

7 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Modern, Earthy, Cool, Traditional

Associated Traits

Grounded, reliable, approachable
A Deep Dive

Clayton Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Clay, Claytonia, Cleiton, Claiton, Claye

Common Nicknames

Clayey, Tono, Clai, Clayon, Clito

Diminutives

Clay, Tony, Tate, Claye, Cly

Famous People

  • Clayton Kershaw
    (American Baseball Player)
  • Clayton Moore
    (American Actor)
  • Clayton Christensen
    (American Economist)
  • Clayton M. Christensen
    (American Inventor)
  • Clayton Rohner
    (American Actor)
  • Clayton Murphy
    (American Athlete)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Clayton Danvers
    ("Bitten," TV Series)
  • "Clayton"
    (1988 Film)
  • Clayton Endicott III
    ("Benson," TV Series)
  • Clayton Webb
    ("JAG," TV Series)
  • Clayton Riddell
    ("Cell," Novel by Stephen King)

Places

  • Clayton City
    (Missouri, USA)
  • Clayton Park Community
    (Nova Scotia, Canada)
  • Clayton County
    (Georgia, USA)
  • Clayton Lake State Park
    (New Mexico, USA)
  • Clayton Village
    (West Sussex, England)

What Is the Meaning of Clayton?

Clayton translates to “settlement near the clay pit” or “clay town.” It conveys a link to nature and practicality, often representing a resolute and down-to-earth personality.

What Is the Origin of The Name Clayton?

The name Clayton has English origins, derived from the Old English elements “clæg,” meaning clay, and “tun,” meaning town or settlement. This etymology points to its historical use as a place name for towns situated near clay pits or areas rich in clay soil.

Clayton Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Clayton in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2782021#2862022#3122023
Top 3 Rankings#1471988#1471997#1491919

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Clayton

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023312
(-26 from 2022)
1062
(-135 from 2022)
0.05800
2022286
(-8 from 2021)
1197
(-38 from 2021)
0.06391
2021278
(+10 from 2020)
1235
(+63 from 2020)
0.06592
2020288
(-15 from 2019)
1172
(-135 from 2019)
0.06336
2019273
(-19 from 2018)
1307
(-143 from 2018)
0.06801
2018254
(-4 from 2017)
1450
(-42 from 2017)
0.07460
2017250
(+16 from 2016)
1492
(+117 from 2016)
0.07539
2016266
(-18 from 2015)
1375
(-103 from 2015)
0.06788
2015248
(+23 from 2014)
1478
(+114 from 2014)
0.07229
2014271
(-13 from 2013)
1364
(-22 from 2013)
0.06656
2013258
(+3 from 2012)
1386
(+19 from 2012)
0.06859
2012261
(-4 from 2011)
1367
(+22 from 2011)
0.06737
2011257
(-6 from 2010)
1345
(-16 from 2010)
0.06621
2010251
(+22 from 2009)
1361
(+100 from 2009)
0.06625
2009273
(-39 from 2008)
1261
(-316 from 2008)
0.05946
2008234
(+13 from 2007)
1577
(+131 from 2007)
0.07233
2007247
(-21 from 2006)
1446
(-149 from 2006)
0.06528
2006226
(-11 from 2005)
1595
(-67 from 2005)
0.07275
2005215
(-17 from 2004)
1662
(-261 from 2004)
0.07813
2004198
(-15 from 2003)
1923
(-207 from 2003)
0.09099
2003183
(-5 from 2002)
2130
(-30 from 2002)
0.10137
2002178
(-16 from 2001)
2160
(-191 from 2001)
0.10452
2001162
(-11 from 2000)
2351
(-213 from 2000)
0.11366
2000151
(+6 from 1999)
2564
(+221 from 1999)
0.12278
1999157
(-7 from 1998)
2343
(+76 from 1998)
0.11491
1998150
(-3 from 1997)
2267
(-52 from 1997)
0.11180
1997147
(+2 from 1996)
2319
(-19 from 1996)
0.11608
1996149
(+2 from 1995)
2338
(-23 from 1995)
0.11668
1995151
(-2 from 1994)
2361
(-9 from 1994)
0.11738
1994149
(+10 from 1993)
2370
(+339 from 1993)
0.11627
1993159
(+9 from 1992)
2031
(+122 from 1992)
0.09833
1992168
(+4 from 1991)
1909
(+62 from 1991)
0.09094
1991172
(-19 from 1990)
1847
(-181 from 1990)
0.08714
1990153
(+1 from 1989)
2028
(+66 from 1989)
0.09424
1989154
(-7 from 1988)
1962
(+73 from 1988)
0.09361
1988147
(+6 from 1987)
1889
(+75 from 1987)
0.09434
1987153
(+8 from 1986)
1814
(+141 from 1986)
0.09302
1986161
(-4 from 1985)
1673
(-45 from 1985)
0.08706
1985157
(-7 from 1984)
1718
(-99 from 1984)
0.08927
1984150
(+8 from 1983)
1817
(+89 from 1983)
0.09682
1983158
(+3 from 1982)
1728
(+23 from 1982)
0.09272
1982161
(+24 from 1981)
1705
(+356 from 1981)
0.09035
1981185
(+8 from 1980)
1349
(+73 from 1980)
0.07243
1980193
(+6 from 1979)
1276
(+67 from 1979)
0.06880
1979199
(+4 from 1978)
1209
(+126 from 1978)
0.06749
1978203
(-6 from 1977)
1083
(-82 from 1977)
0.06338
1977197
(-10 from 1976)
1165
(-21 from 1976)
0.06815
1976187
(+6 from 1975)
1186
(+10 from 1975)
0.07265
1975193
(+10 from 1974)
1176
(+85 from 1974)
0.07249
1974203
(-4 from 1973)
1091
(-15 from 1973)
0.06692
1973199
(+31 from 1972)
1106
(+173 from 1972)
0.06854
1972230
(+9 from 1971)
933
(-34 from 1971)
0.05573
1971239
(+25 from 1970)
967
(+133 from 1970)
0.05319
1970264
(-4 from 1969)
834
(+34 from 1969)
0.04378
1969260
(+4 from 1968)
800
(+42 from 1968)
0.04374
1968264
(+2 from 1967)
758
(+12 from 1967)
0.04269
1967266
(-6 from 1966)
746
(-30 from 1966)
0.04192
1966260
(-9 from 1965)
776
(-106 from 1965)
0.04269
1965251
No change from 1964
882
(-51 from 1964)
0.04655
1964251
(-17 from 1963)
933
(-90 from 1963)
0.04603
1963234
(+16 from 1962)
1023
(+53 from 1962)
0.04955
1962250
(-19 from 1961)
970
(-191 from 1961)
0.04615
1961231
(-10 from 1960)
1161
(-88 from 1960)
0.05382
1960221
(+17 from 1959)
1249
(+118 from 1959)
0.05768
1959238
(-6 from 1958)
1131
(+3 from 1958)
0.05220
1958232
(+11 from 1957)
1128
(+110 from 1957)
0.05235
1957243
(-9 from 1956)
1018
(+56 from 1956)
0.04651
1956234
No change from 1955
962
(+37 from 1955)
0.04482
1955234
(+5 from 1954)
925
(+82 from 1954)
0.04425
1954239
(-9 from 1953)
843
(-28 from 1953)
0.04074
1953230
(-2 from 1952)
871
(+12 from 1952)
0.04350
1952228
(+5 from 1951)
859
(+45 from 1951)
0.04353
1951233
(+8 from 1950)
814
(+60 from 1950)
0.04258
1950241
(-5 from 1949)
754
(+5 from 1949)
0.04146
1949236
(+2 from 1948)
749
(+28 from 1948)
0.04156
1948238
(-13 from 1947)
721
(-91 from 1947)
0.04044
1947225
(-4 from 1946)
812
(+61 from 1946)
0.04371
1946221
(-3 from 1945)
751
(+114 from 1945)
0.04550
1945218
(-6 from 1944)
637
(-21 from 1944)
0.04645
1944212
(-6 from 1943)
658
(-108 from 1943)
0.04737
1943206
(+7 from 1942)
766
(+67 from 1942)
0.05266
1942213
(-8 from 1941)
699
(+36 from 1941)
0.04963
1941205
(+7 from 1940)
663
(+60 from 1940)
0.05283
1940212
(-15 from 1939)
603
(-29 from 1939)
0.05084
1939197
(+2 from 1938)
632
(-8 from 1938)
0.05577
1938199
(-11 from 1937)
640
(-61 from 1937)
0.05631
1937188
(-3 from 1936)
701
(-5 from 1936)
0.06410
1936185
(+2 from 1935)
706
(+6 from 1935)
0.06633
1935187
(-4 from 1934)
700
(-17 from 1934)
0.06545
1934183
(+5 from 1933)
717
(+62 from 1933)
0.06752
1933188
(-13 from 1932)
655
(-132 from 1932)
0.06420
1932175
(-7 from 1931)
787
(-44 from 1931)
0.07325
1931168
(+10 from 1930)
831
(+29 from 1930)
0.07768
1930178
(-12 from 1929)
802
(-53 from 1929)
0.07100
1929166
(+7 from 1928)
855
(+22 from 1928)
0.07719
1928173
(-9 from 1927)
833
(-86 from 1927)
0.07300
1927164
(-3 from 1926)
919
(-37 from 1926)
0.07909
1926161
(+1 from 1925)
956
(+24 from 1925)
0.08346
1925162
(-9 from 1924)
932
(-107 from 1924)
0.08094
1924153
(+5 from 1923)
1039
(+50 from 1923)
0.08888
1923158
(+2 from 1922)
989
(+10 from 1922)
0.08735
1922160
(-2 from 1921)
979
(+28 from 1921)
0.08701
1921158
(-5 from 1920)
951
(-10 from 1920)
0.08357
1920153
(-4 from 1919)
961
(+60 from 1919)
0.08730
1919149
(+8 from 1918)
901
(+24 from 1918)
0.08874
1918157
(+9 from 1917)
877
(+118 from 1917)
0.08363
1917166
(-8 from 1916)
759
(+6 from 1916)
0.07912
1916158
(+7 from 1915)
753
(+54 from 1915)
0.08156
1915165
(-7 from 1914)
699
(+136 from 1914)
0.07935
1914158
(+23 from 1913)
563
(+182 from 1913)
0.08239
1913181
(-12 from 1912)
381
(+35 from 1912)
0.07105
1912169
(-4 from 1911)
346
(+143 from 1911)
0.07664
1911165
(+12 from 1910)
203
(+44 from 1910)
0.08409
1910177
(-1 from 1909)
159
(+22 from 1909)
0.07625
1909176
(-6 from 1908)
137
(+3 from 1908)
0.07746
1908170
(+22 from 1907)
134
(+26 from 1907)
0.08054
1907192
(-12 from 1906)
108
(+8 from 1906)
0.06810
1906180
(-6 from 1905)
100
(-10 from 1905)
0.06941
1905174
(+13 from 1904)
110
(+14 from 1904)
0.07680
1904187
(+2 from 1903)
96
(+11 from 1903)
0.06931
1903189
(-14 from 1902)
85
(-12 from 1902)
0.06573
1902175
(+22 from 1901)
97
(+25 from 1901)
0.07307
1901197
(-21 from 1900)
72
(-46 from 1900)
0.06229
1900176
(+37 from 1899)
118
(+57 from 1899)
0.07278
1899213
(-34 from 1898)
61
(-26 from 1898)
0.05295
1898179
(+17 from 1897)
87
(+12 from 1897)
0.06586
1897196
(-36 from 1896)
75
(-27 from 1896)
0.06150
1896160
(+22 from 1895)
102
(+16 from 1895)
0.07903
1895182
(+29 from 1894)
86
(+23 from 1894)
0.06791
1894211
(-25 from 1893)
63
(-15 from 1893)
0.05044
1893186
(+42 from 1892)
78
(+19 from 1892)
0.06444
1892228
(-34 from 1891)
59
(-5 from 1891)
0.04488
1891194
(-18 from 1890)
64
(-13 from 1890)
0.05857
1890176
No change from 1889
77
(+1 from 1889)
0.06433
1889176
(+45 from 1888)
76
(+13 from 1888)
0.06385
1888221
(-49 from 1887)
63
(-11 from 1887)
0.04850
1887172
(+10 from 1886)
74
(+1 from 1886)
0.06770
1886182
(+10 from 1885)
73
(+5 from 1885)
0.06132
1885192
(+1 from 1884)
68
(-1 from 1884)
0.05865
1884193
(+6 from 1883)
69
(+11 from 1883)
0.05622
1883199
(+11 from 1882)
58
(-2 from 1882)
0.05157
1882210
(+1 from 1881)
60
(+8 from 1881)
0.04917
1881211
(-11 from 1880)
52
(-8 from 1880)
0.04803
1880200
First SSA data recorded
60
First SSA data recorded
0.05068

American States Popularity Rankings for Clayton

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3782021#3882022#4402023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3612021#3872022#5092023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#2112021#2262022#2212023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3382021#2952022#2912023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2082021#2152022#2472023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2222021#2282022#2732023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4282021#4292022#3662023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#2372021#3062022#2182023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3862021#4422022#4182023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2872021#2592022#3332023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#2712021#2982022#2842023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#3152021#2722022#2482023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2592021#1952022#1732023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1562021#1342022#1822023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#1832021#1612022#2582023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#1932021#2262022#2212023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2542021#2562022#3112023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2852021#2752022#3582023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#1742021#2322022#1802023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2232021#2022022#2772023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2802021#2952022#3312023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2582021#2812022#2192023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1682021#2082022#4202023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#2022021#2282022#2112023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#1742021#2372022#3642023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#4712021#3032022#3692023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#1552021#2182022#1792023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3712021#3092022#5792023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#2842021#4452022#5582023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#1892021#2902022#2052023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1742021#1242022#1702023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#3462021#5472022#3772023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4112021#3032022#4722023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#2362021#2842022#2362023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1682021#1722022#1352023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#5622021#5472022#5542023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2822011#2342012#2512020

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1712021#1022022#1422023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1422021#1482022#2542023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1182021#1202022#1492023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#2872018#4672020#4052022

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1532021#2382022#1652023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3192017#3862020#2972023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#2912020#2972021#3662022

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1752021#1972022#2402023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1472012#1312015#1402016

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#4011990#2511995#2321999

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1231998#1292008#1212017

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#2062017#1182018#1832019

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1592004#1942006#2082020

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1461981#1321985#1972015

Popularity Rankings for Clayton in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#962000

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3242020#4772021#4722022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3482020#3262021#4142022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3632017#3342020#3952023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#3762004#3342006#4752018

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3882019#4062020#6722021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4022020#4542021#6602023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#9782019#9602020#5592021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Clayton a Name for Boys or Girls?

Clayton is generally seen as a masculine name, influenced by its traditional English heritage and meaning.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Clayton

Clayton in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Clayton Kershaw (Baseball Player, born 1988): An American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and a multiple-time Cy Young Award winner.
  • Clayton Moore (Actor, 1914–1999): An American actor famous for playing the title role in the television series "The Lone Ranger."
  • Clayton Christensen (Economist, 1952–2020): An American academic and business consultant best known for his theory of disruptive innovation.
  • Clayton M. Christensen (Inventor, 1961–2016): An American engineer and inventor credited with several important technological advancements.
  • Clayton Rohner (Actor, born 1957): An American actor who has appeared in numerous films and television series.
  • Clayton Murphy (Athlete, born 1995): An American middle-distance runner who won a bronze medal in the 800 meters at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
  • Clayton Anderson (Astronaut, born 1959): An American engineer and former NASA astronaut who spent time aboard the International Space Station.
  • Clayton Moorehead (Writer, 1918–2001): An American journalist and author recognized for his investigative reporting and war correspondence.
  • Clayton Danvers ("Bitten," 2014 TV Series): A werewolf and the enforcer for the North American pack who is deeply in love with the protagonist, Elena.
  • "Clayton" (1988 Film): A drama about a young man's struggles and triumphs in a small rural town.
  • Clayton Endicott III ("Benson," 1979 TV Series): A well-meaning but often clueless assistant to the governor.
  • Clayton Webb ("JAG," 1995 TV Series): A CIA agent who frequently collaborates with the show's main characters on military and espionage operations.
  • Clayton Riddell ("Cell," 2006 Novel by Stephen King): The protagonist who fights to survive after a mysterious signal turns people into mindless killers.
  • Clayton Harding ("How to Lose Friends & Alienate People," 2008 Film): The editor of a high-profile magazine who is both mentor and adversary to the protagonist.
  • Clayton Townley ("Mississippi Burning," 1988 Film): A fictional character representing a racist political figure in the film about civil rights struggles.
  • Clayton Farlow ("Dallas," 1978 TV Series): A rancher and stepfather to some of the main characters in the classic soap opera.
  • Clayton City (Missouri, USA): A suburban city in St. Louis County that serves as a major business hub.
  • Clayton Park (Nova Scotia, Canada): A residential area in Halifax known for its community-oriented environment.
  • Clayton County (Georgia, USA): A county located in the north-central part of Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
  • Clayton Lake State Park (New Mexico, USA): A state park that features a reservoir and dinosaur trackways.
  • Clayton Village (West Sussex, England): A small village with a historic parish church and picturesque surroundings.
  • Clayton Street (San Francisco, USA): A street in San Francisco that runs through several neighborhoods including Haight-Ashbury.
  • Clayton University (North Carolina, USA): A fictional university used in literature and media.
  • Clayton Bay (South Australia, Australia): A bay located on the lower Murray River known for its recreational activities.

Similar Names to Clayton

Sibling Names for Clayton

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