Payden
About Payden
Payden is a modern masculine name that gained popularity in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It represents a contemporary spelling variation of Peyton or Paden, names with English origins meaning 'warrior's town' or 'royal.' The distinctive 'ay' spelling gives it a fresh, current feel while maintaining familiar pronunciation. Payden embodies the trend toward surnames and place names becoming given names, appealing to parents seeking something recognizable yet somewhat uncommon. While more frequently used for boys, it occasionally appears as a unisex option. The name carries associations of strength and distinction without being overly unusual. Its crisp sound and modern spelling make it appealing to parents seeking a contemporary name with traditional undertones.
Pronounced PAY-den.
As of October 2026, Payden ranked #7549 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #1928 in 2008.
AI-written. Reviewed by Sophie Kihm
Sources: US popularity data is from the Social Security Administration. Meanings and origins are from Nameberry's name references.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #3,023 | 38 | 19.8 |
| 2015 | #3,010 | 39 | 20.3 |
| 2016 | #3,864 | 28 | 14.8 |
| 2017 | #4,702 | 21 | 11.3 |
| 2018 | #4,702 | 21 | 11.6 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | #3,893 | 27 | 15.6 |
| 2021 | #4,457 | 23 | 13.1 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
Payden on lists
Famous Paydens
- Payden Roop (b. 2010)
son of mixed martial artist George Roop