Payne Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Payne is an Old French name meaning 'pagan' or 'country dweller.' It evolved from 'paien' to 'Payn' and has historical roots in England post-Norman Conquest. The name is associated with nobility and has notable historical figures. It does not have biblical relevance but retains a traditional image in modern times.
The name Payne is most popular in Texas, 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. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Payne has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled 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 Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Payne' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 4628th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6773rd out of 6773 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2896th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2509th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5409th out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 27321st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 33240th out of 35406 names. Discover how the name 'Payne' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Payne"
Pronunciation
/peɪn/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Payne is derived from the Old French word 'paien,' meaning 'pagan' or 'country dweller.' It was used as a surname and later adopted as a given name.
Meaning
pagan, country dweller
Language Evolution
Old French: Paien, Middle English: Payn, Modern English: Payne
Historical Usage
The name Payne gained popularity in England after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, often associated with individuals of noble or landowning status.
Variants & Derivatives
Payn, Paine, Payne
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Payne is less common but carries a sense of tradition and historical significance.
Famous People
Payne Stewart (Professional Golfer), Payne Whitney (Philanthropist and Sportsman)
Explore More Payne Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Payne"
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 "Payne"
"Payne" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 4628th of 7545 | 41 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6773rd of 6773 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2896th of 16616 | 327 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2509th of 24088 | 710 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5409th of 23106 | 203 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 27321st of 27321 | 5 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 33240th of 35406 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Payne" by Generation for Male 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) |
57.42% 2116th/3685 |
- |
45.98% 2388th/5194 |
55.42% 3501st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
42.78% 1960th/4582 |
70.26% 3628th/5164 |
31.78% 2324th/7313 |
62.48% 4663rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
74.46% 5080th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Payne" 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 "Payne"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Payne" 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.