Clayton in Chinese
Clayton in Chinese is 克莱顿 (Kè Lái Dùn).
- Origin
- English
- Meaning
- clay settlement
Etymologically, Clayton is English and is commonly glossed as "clay settlement". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 1990s.
3 ways to write Clayton
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
克莱顿
Kè Lái Dùn
The standard transliteration of Clayton: 克 (kè, "to overcome; gram"), 莱 (lái, "goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')"), 顿 (dùn, "to pause (phonetic 'ton')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 3 characters: 克 kè + 莱 lái + 顿 dùn. The tone contour is 4-2-4 (falling, rising, falling).
Character breakdown
27 strokes total (simplified)- 克
kè
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to overcome; gram
- 莱
lái
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')
- 顿
dùn
Tone 4 · 10 strokes (simplified)
to pause (phonetic 'ton')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
山博
Shān Bó
Inspired by "clay settlement": 山 (shān, "mountain") + 博 (bó, "broad, learned"), expressing land, hills and home.
Why these characters?
The idea of "settlement" behind Clayton is rendered by 山, "mountain"; 博, "broad, learned", completes it.
Character breakdown
15 strokes total (simplified)- 山
shān
Tone 1 · 3 strokes (simplified)
mountain
- 博
bó
Tone 2 · 12 strokes (simplified)
broad, learned
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
克山
Kè Shān
克 (kè, "to overcome; gram") + 山 (shān, "mountain"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 克 (kè), the same opening character as the transliteration 克莱顿, for the "clay" sound, and replaces the rest with 山 ("mountain") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
10 strokes total (simplified)- 克
kè
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to overcome; gram
- 山
shān
Tone 1 · 3 strokes (simplified)
mountain
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 129,638 boys named Clayton since 1880, with the high point in 2000 (2,564 births) and the busiest decade being the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #153 to #250 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2000
- Peak decade
- 1990s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 129,638
More About Clayton in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Clayton offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Clayton, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Jaxon in Chinese, Fernando in Chinese, and Andres in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Grayson in Chinese, Ayden in Chinese, and Emmanuel in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Clayton, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Clayton to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Clayton in Chinese?
克莱顿 (Kè Lái Dùn), or 克萊頓 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
Is Clayton written differently in traditional Chinese?
Yes: 克莱顿 becomes 克萊頓; the changed characters are 莱→萊, 顿→頓. Use traditional for Taiwan or Hong Kong audiences.
How popular is the name Clayton?
US Social Security records show 129,638 boys named Clayton since 1880, with the high point in 2000 (2,564 births) and the busiest decade being the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2017 it slipped, from #153 to #250 among boys.