Is Dayton a boy's or girl's name?

Dayton is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 619 recorded births.

When was Dayton most popular?

Dayton reached its peak popularity in 2008 with 568 births that year. It is currently ranked #1188 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Dayton?

Dayton is currently ranked #1188 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 15,562 babies since 1880.

Dayton

A Old English name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld EnglishDeclining Also a pet name

#1188▼ 44in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname.

Dayton is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old English origin, from the place name meaning 'dairy farm settlement' or 'Daege's town,' referencing an Old English personal name combined with tun (settlement, town).

The Ohio city of Dayton — birthplace of aviation through the Wright Brothers' famous 1903 flights — gives the name an American spirit of invention and progress. It has the fresh, modern-vintage energy of place names as given names, sitting naturally alongside Austin, Dallas, and Houston.

Compare Dayton with another name

Popularity Over Time

Dayton was #507 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1188, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Dayton
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	970	#1096	▼
2010s	3,259	#745	▼
2000s	4,782	#517	▲
1990s	2,212	#755	▲
1980s	590	#1274	▲
1970s	386	#1442	▲
1960s	339	#1351	▼
1950s	453	#1116	▼
1940s	509	#936	▼
1930s	609	#803	▼
1920s	756	#760	▲
1910s	518	#774	▲
1900s	54	#999	▼
1890s	80	#824	▲
1880s	45	#755	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(138 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Dayton
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	173	#1188	-10 (-5.5%)
2023	183	#1144	-15 (-7.6%)
2022	198	#1093	0
2021	198	#1075	-20 (-9.2%)
2020	218	#980	-20 (-8.4%)
2019	238	#920	-26 (-9.8%)
2018	264	#844	0
2017	264	#837	+18 (7.3%)
2016	246	#888	-66 (-21.2%)
2015	312	#764	-40 (-11.4%)
2014	352	#702	+14 (4.1%)
2013	338	#702	-85 (-20.1%)
2012	423	#598	+29 (7.4%)
2011	394	#612	-34 (-7.9%)
2010	428	#585	-91 (-17.5%)
2009	519	#522	-49 (-8.6%)
2008	568	#486	+53 (10.3%)
2007	515	#512	+46 (9.8%)
2006	469	#538	+13 (2.9%)
2005	456	#533	-27 (-5.6%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Dayton as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Dayton has also been given to 619 girls in the U.S. since 1991.

#9681

Current rank

619

Total births

2008

Peak year

Compare Dayton as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Dayton be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Dayton is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1188. As a girl's name, it ranks #9681.

Dayton has two lives

Dayton, the baby name

#1188boys

15,562 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology