UK boy's name
Layson
Of unknown origin and meaning, a unique name with an appealing sound.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Layson is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Layson popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4270, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 4 births.
This profile covers 20 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2011 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 20 living people in the UK are called Layson. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Layson ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 4 boys were registered as Layson.
- • About 20 living people in the UK are estimated to have Layson as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4270
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2011
4 births
Estimated living
20
2026
Meaning
What does Layson mean?
The name Layson is believed to have originated from the Old English language, with roots dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period in England. It is thought to be derived from the Old English words "leah" meaning a meadow or clearing, and "sunu" meaning son, suggesting the name may have initially referred to someone who lived or worked in a meadow.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Layson can be found in the Domesday Book, a manuscript record of a great survey commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Leissun", likely an early spelling variation. This suggests the name was already in use among the Anglo-Saxon population of England before the Norman conquest.
In the 12th century, a Layson de Hertford was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Henry II, which were financial records of the Crown. This indicates the name was still in use and may have been associated with the region of Hertfordshire.
During the Middle Ages, the name Layson appears to have been relatively uncommon, but a few notable individuals bore the name. Layson of Norwich, a merchant and landowner, was documented in the 14th century records of the city of Norwich. In the 15th century, a Layson Wydville was recorded as a member of the gentry in Yorkshire.
The name gained more prominence in the 16th century, with Layson Smythe (1515-1577), an English Protestant reformer and biblical scholar. He is known for his translations of the Bible into English and his involvement in the religious reforms of the Tudor period.
Another notable figure was Layson Calvert (1579-1636), an English colonist and the first proprietary governor of the colony of Maryland. He played a significant role in the early settlement and governance of the colony, and the city of Baltimore was established within the boundaries of the land granted to him by the King.
While the name Layson has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has persisted as a given name, particularly in certain regions of England and among families with Anglo-Saxon heritage. Its origins and early usage reflect the linguistic and cultural influences that shaped the development of English names during the medieval period.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Layson over time
The chart below shows babies named Layson registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2011 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Layson, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Layson by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Layson was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4631 | 7 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4522 | 13 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Layson
- Luke 72,247
- Lewis 69,555
- Leo 63,249
- Liam 60,482
- Lucas 49,061
- Logan 40,771
- Louis 35,898
- Luca 30,323
- Louie 24,242
- Leon 22,308
- Levi 9,931
- Lee 7,861
FAQ
Layson: questions and answers
How popular is the name Layson in the UK right now?
In 2024, Layson was ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Layson most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 4 babies registered as Layson in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Layson?
Of unknown origin and meaning, a unique name with an appealing sound.
How many people are called Layson in the UK?
A total of 20 babies have been registered as Layson across the 6 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.