Nelson
Nelson: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈnɛlsən/
Meaning and origin of Nelson
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From Middle English Neil + -son and Nell + -son. * In the United States, also an Anglicisation of North Germanic (Scandinavian) surnames such as Nilsen, Nielsen, and Nilsson, equivalent to "son of Nicholas".
How popular is Nelson?
Since 1880, 431 girls and 79,709 boys in the U.S. have been named Nelson (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2357 in 1936. Its highest rank for boys was #136 in 1882. In 2025 it ranked #825 for boys, with 300 babies given the name.
Names similar to Nelson
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English boy names
Sibling name ideas for Nelson
Sister and brother names that share Nelson's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Nelson FAQ
What does the name Nelson mean?
A male given name transferred from the surname. From Middle English Neil + -son and Nell + -son. * In the United States, also an Anglicisation of North Germanic (Scandinavian) surnames such as Nilsen, Nielsen, and Nilsson, equivalent to "son of Nicholas".
What is the origin of the name Nelson?
Nelson is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Nelson?
Since 1880, 431 girls and 79,709 boys in the U.S. have been named Nelson (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2357 in 1936. Its highest rank for boys was #136 in 1882. In 2025 it ranked #825 for boys, with 300 babies given the name.
Is Nelson a boy or girl name?
Nelson is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 431 girls and 79,709 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.