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Paxton

♂ Boy

Pronounced PAK-stun /ˈpæk.stən/High

Meaning: From an Old English place name and surname, from 'Poecc's tun' (Poecc's settlement) or possibly from 'pax' (Latin for peace) — meaning 'peace town' or 'settlement of Poecc'.High

In 30 seconds: Paxton is a polished Old English surname name with a peaceful meaning and a strong, confident sound. It has been climbing steadily as parents seek distinguished alternatives to Preston and Peyton.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningFrom an Old English place name and surname, from 'Poecc's tun' (Poecc's settlement) or possibly from 'pax' (Latin for peace) — meaning 'peace town' or 'settlement of Poecc'.
U.S. rank (2025)#338 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births988 boys (0.05% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 28,187

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619212025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Paxton derives from an Old English place name, specifically from the personal name Poecc combined with tun (enclosure, settlement). The village of Paxton in Cambridgeshire bears this name, recorded as Pachstone in the Domesday Book. Some sources connect the first element to a Latin-influenced pax (peace), but the Old English personal-name derivation is more etymologically sound.

As a given name, Paxton has gained traction in the United States since the 1990s, following the trend of English place-name surnames becoming first names. It charts in the top 200–300 boys' names and has a preppy, distinguished quality similar to names like Sutton, Preston, and Clayton. Its clear P-sound and two-syllable rhythm make it phonetically appealing.

Did you know? There is a village called Paxton in Cambridgeshire, England, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 — making the name Paxton over 900 years old as a place name in the English written record.
Overall data confidence 87%
Domesday Book, 1086 — First recorded mention of Paxton as PachstoneSocial Security Administration Name Data — US popularity trends for Paxton

Variations

PaxonPaxten

Nicknames

PaxPaxy

Famous Bearers

  • ★Paxton (Bill Paxton) (1955–2017)
    American actor known for Titanic, Apollo 13, and Twister.

If you like Paxton…

Sutton— two-syllable Old English place-name surname with the same polished, preppy character
Peyton— two-syllable place-name surname popular in the US with a similar sound pattern
Daxton— two-syllable modern surname name with the same -xton ending and similar energetic feel

Frequently Asked

What does the name Paxton mean?

Paxton means 'peace town' or 'settlement of Poecc', from an Old English place name recorded in the Domesday Book.

How do you pronounce Paxton?

Paxton is pronounced PAK-stun (/ˈpæk.stən/), two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Paxton a boy or girl name?

Paxton is predominantly a boy's name, though it occasionally appears for girls.

How popular is Paxton?

Paxton ranks in the US top 200–300 boys' names and has been rising steadily since the 1990s.