Drayton Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Drayton is an Old English name meaning 'settlement by the drain'. It has evolved through various linguistic forms and is linked to English heritage. The name does not have biblical relevance but has historical significance as a place name and surname. Today, Drayton carries a traditional image and is associated with notable historic sites.
The name Drayton is most popular in South Carolina, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Drayton has been stalled for male in MidWest, too falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Drayton' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3850th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3273rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3428th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3756th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3181st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2191st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3111th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Drayton' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Drayton"
Pronunciation
/ˈdreɪtən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Drayton is derived from the Old English elements 'dræg' meaning 'drain' and 'tun' meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement'. It refers to a farm or settlement near a drain or waterway.
Meaning
settlement by the drain
Language Evolution
Drayton (modern English), Drayton (Middle English), Drægetun (Old English)
Historical Usage
Drayton gained popularity as a surname and place name in England during the medieval period and has since been used as a given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Dray, Draytonian
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Drayton is viewed as a classic and somewhat traditional name, often associated with rural English heritage.
Famous People
Drayton Hall (historic plantation), Drayton Manor (theme park)
Explore More Drayton Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Drayton"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Drayton"
"Drayton" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3850th of 7545 | 70 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3273rd of 6773 | 97 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3428th of 7552 | 106 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3756th of 10718 | 121 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3181st of 16616 | 284 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2191st of 24088 | 880 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3111th of 23106 | 454 |
Regional Popularity of "Drayton" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
96.75% 2289th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
64.56% 2379th/3685 |
- |
41.70% 2166th/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
68.16% 3123rd/4582 |
- |
22.64% 1656th/7313 |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
79.99% 3187th/3984 |
- |
34.56% 2358th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Drayton" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Drayton"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Drayton" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.