Leighton is a name of English origin that has been used for both boys and girls in recent years. It is derived from the Old English word "leah-tun," which means "farmstead or clearing in a wood." The name Leighton became popular during the Victorian era in England, but it was not widely used until the late 20th century.
Leighton has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the most famous is Sir Matthew Leighton, who was an English politician and Member of Parliament for various constituencies between 1837 and 1846. Another notable figure is Leighton Buzzard, a market town in Bedfordshire, England, which is named after the Leighton family who owned much of the land around it during the Middle Ages.
The name Leighton has also been used by several authors as characters in their works. In Emily Brontë's novel "Wuthering Heights," there is a character named Leighton who is the younger brother of Edgar Linton. Additionally, there was a character named Leighton in the popular television series "Dawson's Creek" during the late 1990s.
Overall, Leighton is a unique and interesting name with a rich history that dates back to medieval England. Whether you're looking for a boy's name or girl's name, Leighton could be an excellent choice for your child.
The name Leighton has had a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century. In the early years of record keeping, from 1893 to 1900, there were only a handful of births each year with the name Leighton, ranging from just five births in some years to a peak of seven births in 1907.
The popularity of the name began to grow more significantly in the early 20th century. Between 1912 and 1923, there were consistently between 20 and 60 births each year with the name Leighton, showing a consistent increase in its use during this period.
However, the popularity of Leighton fluctuated throughout much of the mid-20th century. From 1933 to 1974, the number of annual births with the name ranged from as low as 19 in 1965 to a high of 43 in 1975. This period saw several peaks and troughs, indicating that while Leighton remained somewhat popular throughout these years, its popularity was not consistent.
Starting in the late 1970s, however, there began a steady increase in the number of births with the name Leighton. Between 1979 and 2023, there were never fewer than 41 births each year with the name, with several peaks occurring along the way:
* In 1989, there were 77 births named Leighton.
* In 1992, this number jumped to 115.
* The turn of the century saw even greater popularity for Leighton, with 146 births in 2006 and a high point of 366 births in 2019.
Overall, from 1893 to 2023, there were a total of 8,987 births registered with the name Leighton in the United States. This demonstrates that while Leighton may not have been one of the most popular names throughout history, it has enjoyed several periods of significant popularity and remains a well-loved choice for parents today.
In conclusion, the name Leighton has had an interesting journey in terms of popularity over the past century. While its early years saw only modest use, there were periods of growth and consistent popularity throughout much of the 20th century. The late 20th century and early 21st century have seen a steady increase in the number of births with the name Leighton, indicating that it remains a strong choice for parents even today.