Nelson

Nelson is a boy's name of English origin. Its meaning is not recorded in the standard references we check — we would rather tell you that plainly than guess. In 2024 it was given to 322 boys in the United States.

Nelson at a glance

Gender
Boy name
Origin
English & American
Meaning
Not recorded in standard references

About the name Nelson

Nelson belongs to the English & American tradition. Its roots are documented, even though its precise meaning is not recorded in the standard references — an honest gap we prefer to a confident guess.

In the United States, Nelson first appears in Social Security records in 1880. It climbed to its best-ever rank of #136 in 1882, and in 2024 322 babies received the name — 79,398 in total since 1880. Those are the official counts, not estimates.

Nelson in US records

First recorded (US)
1880
Best US rank
#136 in 1882
Peak year
1959
Babies named Nelson in 2024
322
Total since 1880
79,398

Nelson in England & Wales records

First recorded (since 1996)
1996
Best rank
#589 in 1997
Babies named Nelson in 2025
19
Total since 1996
763

Similar names

More names from the English & American shelf:

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Nelson mean?

The meaning of Nelson is not recorded in the standard references we check. Rather than repeat an unsourced claim, we leave it open — its English origin is documented, but its exact meaning is not.

Is Nelson a boy or girl name?

Nelson is a boy name. In 2024, 322 babies received the name in the US.

What origin is the name Nelson?

Nelson comes from the English & American tradition.

How popular is the name Nelson?

Nelson first appears in US records in 1880. Its best-ever ranking was #136 in 1882, and 322 babies were given the name in 2024.

This profile is built from the US Social Security Administration's public baby-names data — see the source. Its meaning is not recorded in the standard references we check. If you spot an error, write to [email protected].