This post contains affiliate links.
At a Glance
- Origin
- English (place name, variant spelling of Deighton)
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- DAY-tun
Dayton is an English place name, documented as a variant spelling of Deighton. You may come across the claim that Dayton means 'sunny town,' but that isn't supported by the historical record — the name traces only to Deighton, and its deeper root isn't attested in the sources checked. If you're considering Dayton, it's a name with a real place-name history rather than a settled meaning.
Meaning & Origin of Dayton
Origin: English (place name, variant spelling of Deighton).
A common claim: Dayton means 'sunny town' Actually: There's no etymological basis for 'sunny' — Dayton is documented only as a variant of the place name Deighton, with its ultimate root unattested in the sources checked.
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Dayton
DAY-tunIPA /ˈdeɪtən/
Popularity of Dayton
Dayton peaked in 2008, when 568 babies were given the name and it ranked #486; by 2024 it had dropped to rank #1188, with just 173 babies given the name.
Names Like Dayton
These names have followed a similar path to Dayton in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Dayton mean?
Dayton means ‘sunny town’ There’s no etymological basis for ‘sunny’ — Dayton is documented only as a variant of the place name Deighton, with its ultimate root unattested in the sources checked.
How do you pronounce Dayton?
Dayton is pronounced DAY-tun (IPA: /ˈdeɪtən/).
Is Dayton a popular name right now?
Dayton peaked at #486 in 2008 and is ranked #1188 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Dayton Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Dayton, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Dayton? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
🎲 Think you know your baby names? Take the quiz!
📱 The Baby Names app is here
Swipe names, match with your partner the moment you both say yes, and claim a free Name Art print of your winner. Free to download. See all our apps →




