Leighton

Updated: October 2, 2023 by Sarah Nance

Leighton is traditionally an English name, but in the 20th century, many people began using it as a given name for both boys and girls. These days, it's more common for girls, and it's on the rise. It's been a top 1,000 baby name in the United States since 2009. We love the way it sounds with current middle names like Riley, Harper, Amelia, and Isabel.

Meaning and Origin of the name Leighton:

Leighton is an English place name that has only been used as a given name in recent decades. It comes from the Old English words “leac,” which means “leek” and “tun,” which means “town” or “farm.” For this reason, the technical meaning is “leek farm,” though maybe people translate it to “meadow farm” or “meadow town” in more recent years.

Symbolism of the name Leighton:

Because it was a popular place name in England, some new parents may see it as a symbol of their English heritage or passion for the culture. You may also see it as a sign of new beginnings, like you might find on a farm.

Nicknames for the name Leighton:

Leigh
Leelee
Lee
Lei
LeiLei
Lay
Layt

Style of the name Leighton:

Modern

Gender of the name Leighton:

Leighton is a unisex baby name, though it's far more common for girls.

Pronunciation of the name Leighton:

LAY-ton or LEE-ton

Number of syllables in the name Leighton:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Leighton:

The baby name Leighton evokes images of someone who is sassy and cute.

Alternative spellings for the name Leighton:

Leaton
Layton
Leyton
Leightyn
Leightan

Popularity of the name Leighton:

According to the Social Security Administration, Leighton has been a top 1,000 baby name for girls in the United States since 2009. As of 2020, it ranks at number 400.