Dayton is a masculine given name of American origin. It is derived from the city of Dayton, Ohio, which was named after Jonathan Dayton, a prominent lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey in the late 18th century.
The name Dayton has not been widely used throughout history. It only gained popularity as a given name during the mid-20th century, with its peak usage occurring between 1970 and 1980. Today, it is still considered relatively uncommon compared to other names, but it continues to be chosen by some parents who appreciate its unique sound and historical significance.
There does not appear to be any specific meaning or association attached to the name Dayton beyond its geographical origins. However, some people have interpreted it as having a connection to daylight or daytime due to its phonetic similarity to these words. Others might associate it with the concept of "day" itself, which could symbolize new beginnings, fresh starts, or optimism about the future.
In popular culture, several notable figures share the name Dayton. These include American basketball player Antoine "Dayton" Smith and Canadian ice hockey player Mike "Dayton" Keenan. Additionally, there was a character named Dayton King in the television series "Gotham."
Overall, while not one of the most commonly chosen names, Dayton has an interesting historical background tied to American politics and geography. Its unique sound may appeal to parents looking for something distinctive yet still easy to pronounce and spell. As with many names, its meaning can be shaped by personal interpretation and family history.
Based on the provided statistics, we can analyze the popularity of the name Dayton over time in the United States:
From 1991 to 2023, there were a total of 609 babies named Dayton in the U.S. The name's popularity has shown fluctuations over these years.
During the early 1990s, the number of births with the name Dayton was relatively low, with only 5 births in 1991 and around 9 to 16 births from 1992 to 1994. However, there was a noticeable increase starting in 1998, with 25 births both in 1999 and 2000.
The peak popularity of the name Dayton occurred between 2007 and 2009, with 31 births in 2008 being the highest number recorded during this period. This trend continued until around 2014, after which the popularity began to decline gradually.
In recent years, from 2020 to 2023, there have been around 15 to 19 births each year with the name Dayton in the U.S., indicating that while it may not be as popular as before, the name remains present among baby names.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that the name Dayton has experienced periods of growth and decline in popularity over the past three decades in the United States. Despite fluctuations, it maintains a consistent presence among newborns each year.