Clayton
From Middle English Claytone, Cleyton, from Old English clǣġ (“clay”) + Old English tūn (“enclosure, settlement; town”).
Every Clayton since 1880 — 139,954 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Clayton
Clayton is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #300 in 2025 with 1,130 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 139,954 American babies have been named Clayton. Its peak came in 2000, when 2,577 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Clayton stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Clayton year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 1,130 | #300 |
| 2024 | — | — | 1,083 | #318 |
| 2023 | 8 | #11,411 | 1,067 | #310 |
| 2022 | — | — | 1,200 | #286 |
| 2021 | 5 | #15,759 | 1,237 | #279 |
| 2020 | 5 | #15,638 | 1,172 | #289 |
| 2019 | 8 | #11,596 | 1,308 | #273 |
| 2018 | — | — | 1,451 | #254 |
| 2017 | 5 | #16,412 | 1,493 | #250 |
| 2016 | 6 | #14,729 | 1,376 | #266 |
| 2015 | — | — | 1,479 | #248 |
| 2014 | — | — | 1,365 | #271 |
| 2013 | — | — | 1,387 | #258 |
| 2012 | 8 | #12,468 | 1,367 | #261 |
| 2011 | 7 | #13,678 | 1,345 | #257 |
| 2010 | 5 | #17,601 | 1,361 | #251 |
| 2009 | 7 | #14,022 | 1,264 | #272 |
| 2008 | 8 | #12,853 | 1,577 | #234 |
| 2007 | — | — | 1,446 | #247 |
| 2006 | 5 | #17,723 | 1,595 | #226 |
| 2005 | — | — | 1,662 | #216 |
| 2004 | 14 | #7,926 | 1,923 | #198 |
| 2003 | 6 | #14,252 | 2,130 | #183 |
| 2002 | — | — | 2,160 | #178 |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,530 | 2,351 | #162 |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,674 | 2,564 | #151 |
| 1995 | 5 | #13,879 | 2,361 | #151 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9,439 | 2,029 | #153 |
| 1985 | 7 | #8,522 | 1,718 | #157 |
| 1980 | 7 | #8,327 | 1,275 | #194 |
| 1975 | 7 | #7,297 | 1,177 | #193 |
| 1970 | 5 | #8,213 | 834 | #264 |
| 1965 | — | — | 882 | #251 |
| 1960 | — | — | 1,245 | #222 |
| 1955 | — | — | 925 | #234 |
| 1950 | — | — | 754 | #241 |
| 1945 | — | — | 638 | #218 |
| 1940 | — | — | 603 | #212 |
| 1935 | 7 | #3,467 | 700 | #187 |
| 1930 | 13 | #2,443 | 802 | #178 |
| 1925 | 6 | #4,531 | 932 | #162 |
| 1920 | 11 | #2,939 | 961 | #153 |
| 1915 | — | — | 699 | #165 |
| 1910 | 5 | #2,480 | 159 | #178 |
| 1905 | — | — | 110 | #174 |
| 1900 | — | — | 118 | #176 |
| 1895 | — | — | 86 | #183 |
| 1890 | — | — | 77 | #176 |
| 1885 | — | — | 68 | #192 |
| 1880 | — | — | 60 | #201 |
Famous people named Clayton
- Clayton Moore Actor · 1914–1999
- Clayton Anderson Astronaut · b. 1959
- Clayton Kershaw Celebrity · b. 1988
- Clayton Zane Soccer player · b. 1977
- Clayton Blackmore Soccer player · b. 1964
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Clayton mean?
From Middle English Claytone, Cleyton, from Old English clǣġ (“clay”) + Old English tūn (“enclosure, settlement; town”).
How popular is the name Clayton in 2025?
Clayton ranked #300 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,130 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Clayton?
139,954 babies have been named Clayton in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Clayton most popular?
Clayton peaked in 2000, when 2,577 newborns received the name.
Is Clayton a boy or girl name?
Clayton is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Clayton rising or falling?
Clayton is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Clayton?
Well-known people named Clayton include Clayton Moore (actor), Clayton Anderson (astronaut), Clayton Kershaw (celebrity).