Payson
Every Payson since 1917 — 2,612 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Payson
Payson is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #3,292 in 2025 with 36 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1917, 2,612 American babies have been named Payson — about 55% boys and 45% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2012, when 171 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Payson stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Payson year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 47 | #3,335 | 36 | #3,292 |
| 2024 | 38 | #3,946 | 50 | #2,658 |
| 2023 | 58 | #2,927 | 46 | #2,792 |
| 2022 | 61 | #2,812 | 39 | #3,140 |
| 2021 | 64 | #2,700 | 51 | #2,579 |
| 2020 | 38 | #3,825 | 51 | #2,535 |
| 2019 | 43 | #3,600 | 47 | #2,724 |
| 2018 | 46 | #3,429 | 56 | #2,376 |
| 2017 | 56 | #2,958 | 59 | #2,262 |
| 2016 | 54 | #3,092 | 71 | #2,023 |
| 2015 | 68 | #2,640 | 78 | #1,885 |
| 2014 | 72 | #2,510 | 74 | #1,956 |
| 2013 | 99 | #1,987 | 57 | #2,271 |
| 2012 | 111 | #1,828 | 60 | #2,200 |
| 2011 | 116 | #1,768 | 51 | #2,467 |
| 2010 | 89 | #2,198 | 60 | #2,203 |
| 2009 | 19 | #7,004 | 72 | #1,972 |
| 2008 | 10 | #11,400 | 37 | #3,150 |
| 2007 | 10 | #11,431 | 49 | #2,556 |
| 2006 | 9 | #12,180 | 27 | #3,750 |
| 2005 | 12 | #9,313 | 43 | #2,599 |
| 2004 | 8 | #12,456 | 38 | #2,780 |
| 2003 | 9 | #11,105 | 27 | #3,421 |
| 2002 | 8 | #11,918 | 39 | #2,537 |
| 2001 | 9 | #10,793 | 37 | #2,605 |
| 2000 | 9 | #10,527 | 32 | #2,847 |
| 1995 | 6 | #12,928 | 13 | #4,719 |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | 5 | #4,454 |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Payson in 2025?
Payson ranked #3,292 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 36 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Payson?
2,612 babies have been named Payson in the United States since 1917, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Payson most popular?
Payson peaked in 2012, when 171 newborns received the name.
Is Payson a boy or girl name?
Payson is used for both: about 45% of babies named Payson have been girls and 55% boys.
Is the name Payson rising or falling?
Payson is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.