Payson Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Payson originates from the Old French name 'Paison', which means 'peace' and evolved through Middle English into its modern form. The name has been used primarily in English-speaking countries and gained popularity in the 19th century. It is often associated with traits of calmness and tranquility, and it does not have any direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Payson"
Pronunciation
/ˈpeɪsən/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name Payson is derived from the Old French personal name 'Paison', which is believed to have originated from the Latin 'pax', meaning 'peace'.
Meaning
peace
Language Evolution
Old French: Paison, Middle English: Payson, Modern English: Payson
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, where it was used as a surname before becoming a given name.
Variants & Derivatives
Payne, Payson, Pace
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Payson is seen as a unique and modern name, often associated with a calm and peaceful personality.
Famous People
Payson McElwain, a notable American politician, Payson Parker, a recognized artist
📊 Payson Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Payson Name Visualizations
✨ Payson Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 171 peak births in 2012
Geographic Spread
Popular across 20 US states, with strongest presence in Arizona
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Payson"
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 "Payson"
"Payson" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 7545th of 7545 | 5 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 5372nd of 6773 | 17 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7552nd of 7552 | 5 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 7318th of 16616 | 71 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2723rd of 24088 | 630 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2391st of 23106 | 678 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 25632nd of 27321 | 6 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4970th of 35406 | 419 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2908th of 30306 | 697 |
Regional Popularity of "Payson" 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) |
- | - | - |
60.06% 3794th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
53.40% 3905th/7313 |
21.81% 1628th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
68.05% 2711th/3984 |
83.98% 3768th/4487 |
47.80% 3261st/6822 |
33.22% 2085th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Payson" 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) |
68.31% 3130th/4582 |
83.15% 4294th/5164 |
49.50% 3620th/7313 |
70.95% 5295th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
100.00% 3984th/3984 |
87.74% 3937th/4487 |
64.60% 4407th/6822 |
45.71% 2869th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Payson"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Payson" 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.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Payson" in the United States
The name Payson is most popular in Arizona, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the West 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, Payson has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Payson' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7545th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 5372nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7552nd out of 7552 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 7318th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2723rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2391st out of 23106 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 25632nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4970th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2908th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Payson' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.