How to say it
PAX · ton
ˈpæk.stən
Masculine
Paxton
Peace town
What it means
An English place name, 'Pœcc's settlement,' now happily read through the Latin pax, 'peace.'
Paxton is an English locational surname, originally 'Pœcc's town,' the estate of a man named Pœcc. Modern parents hear the Latin pax, 'peace,' tucked inside it, which gives the rugged -ton ending an unexpectedly gentle meaning. It rides the surname-first wave with Braxton and Weston and shortens neatly to the cool, calm Pax. Sturdy and current.
How to spell Paxton
The standard spelling is Paxton. Common variants include Paxon, Paxten, Paxtyn, but Paxton is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #203 in 2016, currently #338 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Pax is the natural short, with its own 'peace' ring.
- Spelling
The 'peace' meaning is a happy reading; the origin is a personal name, Pœcc.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Paxton Whitehead English actor of stage and screen known for the comedy Back to School
Spelling variants
- Paxon
- Paxten
- Paxtyn
Names with the same feeling
See Paxton from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Paxton mean?
- An English place name, 'Pœcc's settlement,' now happily read through the Latin pax, 'peace.'
- What does Paxton mean in English?
- In English, Paxton means "Peace town." Paxton is an English locational surname, originally 'Pœcc's town,' the estate of a man named Pœcc. Modern parents hear the Latin pax, 'peace,' tucked inside it, which gives the rugged -ton ending an unexpectedly gentle meaning. It rides the surname-first wave with Braxton and Weston and shortens neatly to the cool, calm Pax. Sturdy and current.
- How do you pronounce Paxton?
- Paxton is pronounced ˈpæk.stən. Say it as PAX-ton, with the stress on the "pax" syllable.
- How do you spell Paxton?
- The standard spelling is Paxton. Common spelling variants include Paxon, Paxten, Paxtyn.
- Is Paxton a boy or girl name?
- Paxton is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Paxton?
- Paxton ranked #338 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.