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Dayton

♂ Boy

Pronounced DAY-tun /ˈdeɪ.tən/High

Meaning: David's town; from the English place name Dayton (day's town or possibly from the personal name Day + -ton: settlement)Medium

In 30 seconds: An English place-name surname meaning 'David's settlement' or 'bright one's town.' Best known as the name of Dayton, Ohio — site of the Wright Brothers' first powered airplane experiments and now a NASCAR circuit.

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Origin MediumEnglish

MeaningDavid's town; from the English place name Dayton (day's town or possibly from the personal name Day + -ton: settlement)

U.S. rank (2025)#1099 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births195 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2008

Total births (all-time)≈ 15,757

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Dayton is an English place-name from the personal name Day (meaning bright, cheerful) or David, combined with Old English tun (settlement). The Ohio city was named for General Jonathan Dayton, a signatory of the U.S. Constitution.

Dayton ranked #1188 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Wilbur and Orville Wright perfected their powered airplane in Dayton, Ohio — they first flew at Kitty Hawk in 1903 but returned to Dayton to develop and refine the aircraft. The city is now home to the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Overall data confidence 80%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

DatonDayten

Nicknames

Day

Famous Bearers

★Dayton Callie (1946-)
American actor known for roles in Deadwood and Sons of Anarchy
★Dayton Allen (1919-2004)
American comedian and voice actor

If you like Dayton…

Clayton— two-syllable -ton place-name surname with the same American feel

Layton— two-syllable -ton Old English place-name in the same tradition

Payton— two-syllable -ton surname name with the same American confidence

Braxton— two-syllable -ton American surname name

Easton— two-syllable -ton Old English place-name in the same register

Explore names like Dayton

By themeenglish american two-syllable place-name surname-style

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Dayton mean?

Dayton means 'David's settlement' or 'bright one's town,' from an English place name. The Ohio city Dayton was named for General Jonathan Dayton.

How do you pronounce Dayton?

It's said DAY-tun — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Dayton a boy or girl name?

Dayton is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Dayton?

Dayton ranked #1188 for U.S. boys in 2024.